Adaptations
Polar bear adaptations: how the body, gut and habits beat the Arctic cold
Two layers of fur, fat up to 10 cm thick, paws as big as dinner plates and a gut built…
IUCN Red List category
Vulnerable
Animals the IUCN Red List classes as Vulnerable, and what is known about their numbers.
13 animals40 articles
Articles
Size & weight
Finger monkey full grown: how big is a pygmy marmoset?
An adult finger monkey, or pygmy marmoset, has a 12–16 cm body, a longer tail and weighs 85–140 g. Scientists…
Conservation & population
Are polar bears endangered? Status, population and threats
Polar bears are not endangered: they are Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and Threatened in the US. About 26,000…
Diet & feeding
What do snow leopards eat?
Snow leopards live mainly on wild sheep and goats such as blue sheep and ibex, plus marmots. They kill a…
Speed
How fast can a polar bear run?
Polar bears can sprint at about 40 km/h (25 mph) for short distances, but they overheat fast. Grizzlies are quicker,…
Adaptations
Lion adaptations: how lions hunt, share and survive
Lions survive by teamwork. Prides stalk big prey together, manes signal health to rivals and mates, and desert lions get…
Comparisons
Polar bear vs grizzly bear size: which is bigger?
Polar bears are bigger than grizzlies on average: males weigh 350–590 kg against 180–270 kg. Only the biggest coastal Alaskan…
Adaptations
Adaptations of a giraffe: how the tallest animal makes its height work
A giraffe's key adaptations are its 1.8 m neck, a heart that pumps at nearly twice human blood pressure, a…
Adaptations
Adaptations of a cheetah: how it is built for speed
Cheetahs are built for short, fast chases: a bendy spine, grippy claws, a steering tail, big nostrils and an inner…
Conservation & population
Why is Leatherback Sea Turtle Endangered?
The leatherback sea turtle is the largest of all turtles and is one of the most endangered. They are found…
Speed
How Fast can a Hippo Run – Hippo Speed
Hippos are often regarded as one of the most dangerous and unpredictable animals in Africa, yet it is also one…
Behaviour
Do polar bears hibernate?
Most polar bears do not hibernate; they hunt seals all winter. Only pregnant females spend winter in a snow den,…