White and fluffy, polar bears are one of the most charming carnivores on Earth. And though incredible, they happen to be one of the fiercest of predators. Their coat is not white in colour, but a hollow tube, which reflects the white of the snow and absorbs sunlight to keep the animal warm. Polar bears can swim exceptionally well.

This qualifies them as marine mammals. Polar bears swim with the help of their partially webbed feet and water-repelling fur. While walking on ice, the fur on its paws prevents the animal from slipping on ice. Polar bears are huge and slow breeding mammals.

Interestingly, female polar bears always give birth to twins ? walnut sized babies ? while hibernating.

But this is only once a year and the fact that they are found in such few places makes their numbers very small ? about 22,000-27,000 across the world.