This past weekend, the majority of Kansas was blanketed in ice, leaving me to think about what life would be like if I lived somewhere where ice was not only constant but necessary for survival. “I don’t think I’d survive long in this weather,” I thought to myself as I chipped away at the ice on my windshield, “but maybe if I were a polar bear, it wouldn’t be so bad.”

Our natural world never ceases to amaze me; even in the coldest, most extreme areas, life finds a way.

Polar bears are the largest species of bear alive today. They can weigh up to 1,760 pounds and reach over 8 feet tall when standing on their hind legs. Polar bears are found only in the Arctic, the northernmost part of our planet, with the coldest recorded temperature reaching negative 90°F. It is fitting as the word comes from the Greek word ἄρκτος which means ‘bear’.

Polar bears have many adaptations that allow them to survive in this frigid landscape. Polar bears are excellent swimmers that spend at least 50% of their day hunting. They depend on sea ice for traveling, hunting, resting, and mating. These bears are packed with insulating blubber (fat) that can be up to 4.5 inches thick! They have two layers of fur, a protective outer layer, and a dense undercoat, and while the hair appears white, it is actually transparent. This allows the fur to absorb heat from the sun into their black skin.

If we travel to the opposite end of the planet, to the Antarctic, where temperatures can dip below minus 133.6°F, we find equally impressive animals such as the Emperor penguin.

This species is the largest species of Penguin found today, reaching heights of up to 39 inches and weighing up to 99 pounds. These flightless birds are better adapted to swimming, reaching depths of up to 1,755 feet while they hunt for fish, krill, and squid. Specialized protein in their blood allows these birds to function with extremely low oxygen levels, remaining submerged for 20 minutes!

Of course, we see our fair share of winter weather close to home and our native animals have their own adaptations for survival. For those who stick around over the winter instead of migrating, there are several options for getting through winter.

Reptiles such as our state symbol, the ornate box turtle, will burrow underground and undergo a hibernation-like cycle that is called brumation. During brumation, their metabolism slows down, and they live off stored fat in their body until early spring.

Other native species such as the swift fox, will grow a significantly denser winter coat. Between hunting expeditions, they will wrap their body with their long, fluffy tail to stay warm in their dens. Birds, such as the common house sparrow will huddle together and fluff out their feathers, trapping warm air underneath and tucking their heads into their bodies. They can also enter a hypothermic state known as torpor, where their body temperature can drop, allowing them to burn less energy.

We can help our native wildlife throughout the winter by continuing to provide habitat resources such as water (unfrozen), shelter, and food.

As for us humans, we have our own ways of surviving. Just ask the people of Yakutsk, Russia, which sees temps of negative 40°F regularly and is one of the country’s most rapidly growing cities. Or the people of Yakutsk’s sister city, Fairbanks, Alaska, with an average winter temperature of -4.1°F.

If you need shelter or heat in Finney County, be sure to seek out one of the Warming Shelters; a full list is available through the Finney County Emergency Management Department at 620-272-3746.

To see winter adaptations in person, visit Lee Richardson Zoo’s many of the animals in our care are well suited for colder temps! During inclement weather, be sure to use caution, and always check to see that the zoo is open, and it is safe before venturing out!

Call ahead at 620-276-1250, visit our website at www.leerichardsonzoo.org, or follow us on Facebook for our most recent weather updates!