Website design By BotEap.comThe polar bear has adapted incredibly well to survive in its harsh environment. There are several ways it has been able to do this, and the fact that its legs are so large and dexterous is just an adaptation. When visiting polar bear habitat on specialized wildlife tours, it’s interesting to note how much where an animal lives can affect its physical evolution.

Website design By BotEap.comlegs for thought

Website design By BotEap.comPolar bears have extremely large feet, which can grow up to 12 inches wide. This is so that its colossal weight can be more evenly distributed over deep snow and thin ice. Their feet are also very hairy, which helps keep them warm. The pads of their feet are rough to the touch, allowing for better traction on the ice that makes up most of the surface area of ​​the polar bear’s frozen habitat.

Website design By BotEap.comTheir claws are short, sharp, thick, and curved, making it easier for them to grip ice or cling to their often slippery prey. You couldn’t be more different from human feet, but oddly enough, their gait is very similar to ours. Their skeletal anatomy does not differ too much from that of bears either, and in fact, excavated human bones have often been mistaken for those of bears.

Website design By BotEap.comBecause polar bears are predatory animals, you would expect them to walk on their toes instead of being so flat-footed. But their large plantigrade feet are perfect for supporting their weight, climbing, and helping them stay upright to search for prey, catch a scent in the wind, and fight. However, big and flat feet do not mean that they are slow. In short bursts they can run up to 30 miles per hour, much faster than the average human. They roam their range extensively, sometimes covering up to 20 miles of bear habitat per day, for several days at a time. Walking up to 700 miles a year, their ranges are enormous and can extend over 135,000 square miles.

Website design By BotEap.comLarge feet have other advantages as well, and they make excellent fins in the water. The polar bear’s habitat not only consists of ice fields, but also includes many miles of ocean. They are excellent swimmers and spend a lot of time in the water. Its front legs are used for propulsion and its hind legs for direction.

Website design By BotEap.comPolar bears have evolved incredibly efficiently to make their challenging life in the Arctic as easy as possible. This demanding environment has meant that their fur, body, feet and claws have developed uniquely over time to ensure their survival in this harsh corner of the planet.