In the Arctic regions lives the Polar Bear. This mighty animal is as large as any of the bears found in warmer countries. It lives entirely on flesh and fish, its chief food being seals, which it has a very clever way of catching. Finding a number of seals asleep on a piece of floating ice, the bear quietly swims toward them, and then suddenly appears right under their noses. If the frightened seals leap into the water the bear will have them before they can get away, while if they try to escape over the ice, their swift-footed enemy quickly climbs out of the water and catches them before they can reach a place of safety. This trick is played over and over again.
The polar bear can stay under water for quite a long time. Its swimming powers are greater than those of any other animal except, of course, the whale, dolphin, and seal. A polar bear has been known to swim from one island to another, a distance of over fifty miles. Moreover, it is very expert in the water, and can catch the largest and swiftest fish with ease.
The polar bear makes a dangerous enemy, for its temper is uncertain, and it will attack man without any reason. Its jaws are of great strength, while its claws will tear their way through the hardest wood. Its fur is enormously thick, right down to the extremities of its feet, and consequently it is well protected from the Arctic cold and from the sharp pieces of ice that it walks over. Its color varies from a pure white to a pale yellowish tint.
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| Polar bear brothers explore an old boat. |
An Arctic Suit by J. M.
Behold this polar bear and see
A case of Nature's skilled design.
See how this creature's coat and form
With all his habitat combine.
"But why is this?'' I hear you ask.
To hide from natural enemies,
To creep unnoticed and unseen
Upon the prey he plainly sees.
He wears protective coloring,
Llike many creatures, strong and weak.
Oh dear, I wish that I might, too,
When I am playing hide-and-seek!