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At the risk of flogging a dead, er, penguin. Why don't polar bears' feet freeze?

Paul Newcombe, Zurich, Switzerland

(Image: US federal government / Wikimedia Commons)

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Editorial status: In magazine.

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Last edited on: 2010-02-10 14:20:53

Categories: Animals.

Tags: freeze, cold, feet, polarbear.

 

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Anonymous says:
Because if they would, they would be statues.
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posted on 2009-06-25 14:14:29 | Report abuse


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Anonymous says:
They have thick skin and fur on their feet.
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posted on 2009-06-25 14:25:46 | Report abuse


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Anonymous says:
Penguins and polar bears live on opposite ends of the planet, as everyone over the age of 4 should know...
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posted on 2009-06-25 16:15:17 | Report abuse


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Anonymous says:
The snow in bear tracks is not melted, so it seems they let their feet get cold when they are walking (probably when swimming, too). I suspect the flow of blood is regulated to keep the feet from getting frozen, but too cold to melt snow. My experience is with Alaska brown bears, but they are very close relatives of polar bears.
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posted on 2009-06-25 17:48:03 | Report abuse


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Anonymous says:
Umm...where did the writer suggest that penguins and polar bears came from the same place? Must have missed that one.With regard to the snow not melting, could this also be because the heat from the bears#39; paws is insulated behind the layer of fur that grows from them?
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posted on 2009-06-26 02:17:40 | Report abuse


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