We are learning that differences in individuals of the same kind impact their survival.

 The Polar Bear has black skin. The black skin helps it to retain heat that it absorbs from the sunlight. They live in an environment where sunlight is sometimes rare.  The Polar Bear’s white fur also helps it to survive. The light color of the fur provides camouflage against the ice - when hunting, it can cover its black nose with its paws to hide it

 Perhaps the best adaptation of American black bears is their ability to eat a wide variety of foods. This adaptation enables the bears to survive in a wide variety of habitats throughout North America as well as survive near human populations if necessary.  American black bears can also hibernate to a certain degree during the winter months if the temperature drops low enough. It is important to note that people should not approach bears at any time, even when it may appear that they are in a hibernation state. American black bears can wake up from this sleep.

 It is thought that the small amount of hair on their muzzle may be an adaptation for protection from the defensive secretions (liquid) of termites.  These bears also have a long muzzle with lips and nostrils that can be closed. This prevents termites from crawling into their nose.  The roof of their mouth is hollow and they have no front teeth so they can suck up ants and termites out of their nests. People can sometimes actually hear the bear sucking up insects from 300 feet away!

 Because giant panda bears do not hibernate like other bears they are able to easily forage for, consume and digest bamboo year round.  Giant pandas have developed a "sixth toe" which helps the giant panda better grasp the bamboo when eating. It gives it extra strength needed to tear the shoots and leaves from the bamboo stems. This extra toe is crucial to the giant panda's survival, as 99 percent of the giant panda's diet consists of bamboo shoots and leaves.

 Spectacled bears are excellent climbers. This allows them to forage and build large nests in the trees, which are used as day-beds.

 Sun bears have short hair that allows them to survive in a hotter environment.  Their claws assist them in a variety of ways, including eating, climbing and self-defense.