Polar Bear

The polar bear has a thick, well-insulated coat comprising water-repellent guard hairs and a dense undercoat. The polar bear's coat and a layer of fat beneath it help keep the bear warm in its arctic habitat. The polar bear's fur is not soft, but quite oily, which helps repel water. It measures about 1 1/2 inches thick, and can vary in color from white to creamy-yellow to light brown. Large and stocky, male polar bears grow up to 9 feet long and weigh as much as 1,500 pounds. Females weigh as much as 500 pounds and measure 8 feet long. The polar bear's skin, nose and foot pads are black. Their paws can measure up to 12 inches in size.