polar bears stop ice from freezing on their fur

Polar bear fur could hold the secret to replacing ‘forever chemicals’
Now, researchers have discovered the bears have another unexpected Arctic adaptation: greasy fur. It’s a trait that, surprisingly, might help us find alternatives to “forever chemicals,” a class of widely used compounds that are linked to a range of health problems in people.
How do polar bears keep ice off their fur? Grease.
Polar bears need all the help they can get to survive their frosty Arctic environment. One of their biggest survival secrets appears to be greasy hair. The sebum–or hair grease–on their fur makes it very difficult for ice to stick.
How polar bears stop ice from freezing on their fur
Indigenous peoples of the Arctic traditionally use polar bear fur for its ice-resistant properties, but the science behind the bears’ natural antifreeze hasn't been studied until now
Polar bears are greasier than you think. Here's why
Polar bears might be greasier than widely believed. The bears’ greasy fur is the secret to the popular species’ survival in one of Earth’s most punishing climates. The grease, also known as sebum, is made up of cholesterol, fatty acids and compounds that make it hard for ice to attach to the animals’ fur.
Polar Bears’ Slick Secret: How Greasy Fur Defies the Arctic Freeze
Polar bears have a built-in defense against ice — greasy fur. A team of scientists has discovered that their fur is coated in a unique sebum blend that prevents ice from sticking, helping them survive extreme cold.
Greasy hair gives polar bears fur with anti-icing properties
An international team of scientists has discovered the anti-icing secret of polar bear fur—something that allows one of the planet's most iconic animals to survive and thrive in one of its most punishing climates.
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Photos: Chicago Polar Bear Club’s annual Polar Plunge
People plunge into freezing Lake Michigan during Chicago Polar Bear Club 24th annual Polar Plunge event at Oak Street Beach on Jan. 25, 2025.
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Polar bear hair research could lead to ski and snowboard technology advancements
After collecting hair from six polar bears in the wild, scientists homed in on the hair 'sebum' (or grease) as the ...
I live in the northernmost town on Earth, where alcohol is rationed and polar bears are a common threat
Carrying a rifle and keeping an alcohol-ration card are a few things that surprised me about living in Longyearbyen, the ...