Three Bears, No Goldilocks

Polar bear Ilka and her twin cubs take a cool swim in the Scandinavian Wildlife Park, Denmark last week. Ilka is also mother to famed bear, Siku, and the summer has the family practicing their swim moves on the Live Cam.

Did You Know? “Underneath their fur, polar bears have black skin which absorbs the heat of the sun, and below the skin is a thick, 4-inch layer of blubber. This blubber layer is particularly beneficial while polar bears swim, keeping them warm in the cold water and increasing buoyancy… Compared to other bears, the polar bear has an elongated body with a particularly long neck and a narrow skull. These features streamline the bear, making it an efficient swimmer. Large, flat, and partially webbed paws, functioning like oars, also help them navigate water,” (PBS).