How Do Polar Bears Keep Ice Off Their Fur? New Study Reveals the Secret—and It Could Improve Technology
Polar bears don’t have to worry about skipping a wash day. The sebum, or natural oil, on the mammals’ fur helps them survive the harsh Arctic weather by making it hard for ice to stick to them, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances.
Polar bears are struggling to get enough to eat as sea ice dwindles due to climate change, study finds
University of Toronto Scarborough researchers have directly linked population decline in polar bears living in Western Hudson Bay to shrinking sea ice caused by climate change.
Scientists just figured out how polar bear fur repels ice no matter how cold it is
Discover the amazing properties of polar bear fur that repel ice and prevent ice buildup. Learn how their specialized hair grease keeps them warm in freezing Arctic waters.
How polar bears stop ice from freezing on their fur
Indigenous peoples of the Arctic traditionally use polar bear fur for its ice-resistant properties, but the science behind the bears’ natural antifreeze hasn't been studied until now
Scientists Know How Polar Bears' Fur Repels Snow and Ice
There's something about polar bears that's always puzzled the people who study them. How do they seem to repel snow? The animals spend their lives in cold climates, sometimes rolling around in snow, but walking away without any of it clinging to their fur.
Research reveals how polar bears stop ice from sticking to their fur
The results were striking. When unwashed, polar bear fur resisted ice adhesion significantly better than human hair and synthetic ski skins. But when the fur was washed and stripped of its natural grease, it lost this anti-icing ability and behaved just like human hair—meaning ice stuck easily.
How do polar bears keep ice off their fur? Grease.
“Unwashed, greasy hair made it much harder for ice to stick. In contrast, when the polar bear hair was washed and the grease largely removed it performed similarly to human hair, to which ice sticks easily whether it is washed or greasy.”
Ice doesn't stick to polar bear fur - but why?
Polar bear fur resists ice because of a natural greasy coating called sebum. This helps them move quietly while hunting.
Polar bear population in Canada's Hudson Bay declined by 50% due to climate change
Scientists have quantified how much climate change has driven the population decline of polar bears living in Canada's Hudson Bay.
Polar bear furs are natural ice-repellents, study finds
Unique lipids in polar bear sebum prevent ice accumulation, paving the way for eco-friendly anti-icing materials.
Ice Bears legend to take place in Pillar of Champions
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - One of the Knoxville Ice Bears' prime players is set to make his way into the Pillar of Champions.
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Polar Bears’ Slick Secret: How Greasy Fur Defies the Arctic Freeze
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