Canada As You Like It Blog
10 Fast Facts About Polar Bears
- by Canada As You LIke It
- •
- 23 Jun, 2020
- •
Whether you are gearing up for a trip to the arctic, or just want to learn more about them, here are 10 facts about polar bears.
Whether you are gearing up for a trip to the arctic, or just want to learn more about them, here are 10 facts about polar bears.
1. The classic white bears are not really white.
Polar bears actually have black skin and hollow, colourless hair. Their hollow fur reflects light and traps the sun’s heat to help keep them warm.
2. Polar bears can overheat.
Though they are adapt to survive Arctic temperatures, which can dip below -50°C, they can also overheat. This becomes more of a risk when running and in the summer – when temperatures rise above freezing and up to 20°C.
3. Polar bears clean themselves by rolling in the snow.
Can you blame them for wanting to keep themselves clean? Staying clean also helps the insulating properties of their fur, so after feeding they will often freshen up by taking a swim or roll in snow. Rolling in the snow also helps cool them off when they get too hot.
4. They’re quick on their feet.
Polar bears can reach speeds of up to 40km per hour (25 mph) on land.
5. …and in the water.
Polar bears are also excellent swimmers and can comfortably swim around 10 km per hour (6mph). They use their large front paws to propel themselves through the water and their back legs to steer. Their latin name actually means “sea bear”.
(FYI: You may even see them swimming on some of our tours).
6. Giants of the Arctic: Polar bears are the largest land carnivore.
Males can weigh more than 770 kg (1700 lbs).
7. The biggest threat to polar bears is shrinking sea-ice.
Climate change is causing sea-ice to melt earlier and forming later each year, which means that polar bears have less time to hunt on top of the sea-ice. The bears rely on this sea-ice as a platform to hunt sea prey like seals that come onto the ice and give the bear the advantage.
8. They have a very good sense of smell.
Polar bears can sniff out seals – their main food – from up to 1 km (0.6 miles) away and even under 1m (3 ft) of snow.
9. Polar bears in the wild can live up to 30 years.
Most polar bears live up to 15 – 18 years.
10. A female polar bear will have an average of five litters of cubs in her lifetime.
Two-thirds of polar bear litters are twins!
In the northwest of Canada where eighty percent of the area
is wilderness, lies the Yukon. With friendly locals, wildlife to observe,
activities to immerse yourself in and fascinating history to explore, this destination makes
for the perfect fly-drive holiday.
Lace up your boots and hit the back country. With trails at your doorstep for exploring, hiking is the best way of seeing the province on a fly drive holiday. There are areas suitable for all levels of hiking, from the congenial leisure walk to the avid hiker. Head to Saskatoon at the Meewasin Valley, this area offers over 105 km of trails across 67 square km of land. It provides year-round adventure and sightseeing opportunities in the heart of beautiful Saskatoon. Benefit from the well-maintained, multi-use pathways to cycle, jog or walk the scenic riverbank trails. Sections of the Meewasin Trail are also part of the Trans Canada Trail which extends almost 24,000 km across Canada from coast to coast. Keen for a challenge? Look at some of the best back country hiking at places like Prince Albert National Park, Lac La Ronge, Meadow Lake- and Narrow Hills Provincial Park in the north or Grasslands National Park and Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park in the south.
With three different water ways and an UNESCO heritage site, Ottawa is the place to explore. Take a trip down the Rideau Canal or explore the ByWard market. Walk along Parliament Hill and through acres of woodland and royal trees planted by dignitaries.
Imagine swimming thousands of miles to find that special someone. Whales complete this every single year, known as a whale migration, to find suitable habitat for feeding and reproducing. In British Columbia, these stunning orcas, also known as killer whales, are a prominent site and seeing them is a once in a lifetime experience. As well as orcas, expect to find humpback whales, grey whales and minke whales. These amazing creatures call BC their home from April to October. When the sun is out the whales come to play. From tail flukes to pectoral slaps, go for a whale watching trip and you can bask in their playful nature and enjoy the sunset with a relaxing drink, perfect for families and solo travellers. You can also go paddleboarding with orcas for a unique perspective from the water to see these magnificent creatures. You must, of course, always keep four hundred metres away from them for their safety and yours.
Welcome to the province of Saskatchewan, Canada – a place of breath-taking landscapes, wide-open spaces and hospitality that is second-to-none. This province is big – 651,900 km2, in fact, and has nearly 100,000 lakes and waterways. Natural beauty is not the only thing this province is known for though. Join us on a culinary journey of Saskatchewan, where food and drink abound, and you will find something good to eat around every corner!
Welcome to the fourth largest province in Canada. With five National Parks and six UNESCO Heritage sites, Alberta is a wonderful and varied place to visit. This blog will explore this great province and expose you to the unique qualities that make this area a location sure to be your next travel destination. A playground for outdoor adventure, popular summer activities include hiking, biking, horse riding, rafting, and fishing. As the seasons change and snow begins to fall, head to Alberta for world-class winter activities including skiing, snowboarding, dogsledding, snowshoeing, heli-skiing, ice climbing and more. From wildlife in the Rockies to Waterton Lakes National Park, and art and culture to explore, Alberta is a wonderland packed with options for every traveller.
Atlantic Canada is famous for its fresh and abundant seafood, from succulent lobster, to scallops, mussels, oysters and cod – but it offers so much more. Dine at a seaside restaurant, take a stroll through a local farmers' market, or take in one of the many culinary festivals. It’s truly a foodie’s paradise.
Here's a round up of a few amazing foodie events and experiences that we thought you might want to try:
Head to Northern Manitoba for a wild and exciting trip. Waterways provide refuge to an abundance of wildlife and the land holds the stories of Indigenous peoples.