Like most soft toys, a polar bear stuffed animal is special. Not only does it represent the real thing, but it's one of those plush toys that is super soft and cuddly everything you would expect in a soft toy. While a polar bear stuffed animal can be purchased as big or as small as you would like, better to lean toward the ones that are as over-sized as possible given they're more like the real deal.
Polar bears are the world's largest land predators. They evolved some 200,000 years ago from ancestors of the brown bear. They can be found living in Alaska, Canada, Russia, Greenland and Norway. Males range in size from 775 to more than 1,500 pounds while females are smaller topping out at 550 pounds.
There are various myths and misconceptions about polar bears that have been debunked by biologists who have studied polar bears for thousands of years; among native hunters, there is a legend that says polar bears cover their black noses while they lie in wait for their preferred food, seals. This type of behavior has never been seen by scientists. Another myth refers to the fact that the polar bear is a left-pawed animal. However, when having been observed by scientists, no discernible preference has been noticed they use their right and left paws equally. When killing their prey, polar bears do no use tools such as blocks of ice. The idea that they do [use tools], may have come from the fact that when unsuccessful in catching their food, an angry polar bear may kick the snow, throw chunks of ice, or even slap the ground.
Contrary to what many people think, polar bears only live in the Arctic in the areas that surround the North Pole, not in Antarctica which surrounds the South Pole. Because penguins and polar bears are often seen in pictures together, some believe they live in both places, but that could never happen.
A polar bears hair is not actually white it just looks like it is. There fur is dense with an undercoat that helps insulate them from the cold. On top, their hair is of various lengths. Their hair is pigment-free and transparent which reflects visible light much in the same way it happens with ice and snow. When they are in sunlight, and clean, a polar bear looks its whitest, but before they molt in the spring, the oil that gets on them from eating seals makes them look yellow. In 1979, a polar bear living at the San Diego Zoo turned green after algae in its hollow hair shafts grew. The bear was not harmed and a zoo veterinarian restored the bears coat color by killing off the algae with a solution containing salt. A polar bears skin is actually black and under it is a very thick layer of blubber that can be as much as 4.5 inches thick. Polar bears hardly suffer any heat loss due to their fur and blubber insulation. In fact, when adult males run too quickly, they overheat.
With the availability of floppy polar bear stuffed animals, why would you even opt for any other kind? A floppy polar bear stuffed animal is one that can be made to sit up or lie down, both on its stomach or its back. And, this is a type of polar bear plush that is absolutely ideal for snuggling up with given it can practically wrap itself around you with its soft and floppy arms.
Angeline Hope is a collector of large teddy bears. You can view a selection of large teddy bears including polar bear plush animals at MyBigPlush.
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