During the recent polar vortex that swept down into the US, even polar bears in the Chicago zoo had to go inside. However, new research gives more insight into how these animals’ Arctic counterparts are able to keep warm in extremely low winter temperatures.
The reason the Chicago polar bears had to venture indoors during the deep freeze is due to a diet that is much different from polar bears that live in the Arctic tundra. The latest study shows how these Arctic polar bears utilize genetic adaptations and nitric oxide to stay warm.
Nitric oxide production in the polar bear genome contains genetic differences from comparable genes in brown and black bears.
Read the full, original story: How Do Polar Bears Keep Warm? It May Be In Their Genes
