Polar Bear Superpowers: Built-in Snow Sunglasses

A Postcard from Tilly

To: Polar Boutique HQ
Sent from somewhere very snowy (and just a little slippery)

Dear Paulette & Jemma,

Just checking in before my next adventure.

I'm writing this while sitting on a big piece of sea ice. Don't worry, it's much sturdier than it looks. I even brought my favourite little mug of hot chocolate. Marshmallows, of course.

Something funny happened today.

I was watching a snowy owl swoop overhead when the wind suddenly picked up. Snow started blowing everywhere! It looked like someone had shaken a giant snow globe.

I could still see perfectly.

That's when I remembered...

People probably don't know one of my best-kept secrets.

Real polar bears have something called a third eyelid.

I know... it sounds a little strange.

Think of it as built-in sunglasses.

It's a thin, transparent eyelid that helps protect our eyes from blowing snow, icy winds, and the bright sunlight bouncing off all this white snow and ice. We can still see where we're going while our eyes stay protected.

Pretty clever, if you ask me.

Then, just as I was feeling rather pleased with myself, I noticed a seal hole nearby.

So naturally...

I tiptoed over to investigate.

Very carefully.

You know how everyone thinks I'm graceful?

Well... that's partly because real polar bears have another amazing trick.

Have you ever looked at the bottom of my paws?

They're covered with tiny little bumps called papillae.

They're a bit like the grip on your winter boots.

Those little bumps help us hang on to slippery ice instead of sliding all over the place. We even have fur growing between our paw pads to help keep our feet warm while giving us a little extra grip.

Honestly, whoever designed polar bears thought of everything.

Can you imagine trying to sneak up on lunch while accidentally skating backwards?

Not my finest look.

The more I learn about real polar bears, the prouder I am to be one.

Sometimes people think my adventures are made up.

Well... the adventures are.

But many of my favourite little superpowers are completely real.

Nature came up with those all by itself.

Pretty amazing, don't you think?

Anyway, I'd better get going.

The Arctic fox says there's fresh snow further up the trail, and apparently the views are spectacular.

Also... I packed maple cookies.

See you on my next adventure.

🐻❄️ Tilly's Real Polar Bear Fact Everything Tilly discovered in today's postcard is inspired by real polar bears. • Polar bears have a transparent third eyelid that helps protect their eyes from blowing snow and the bright glare reflecting off ice while still allowing them to see. • Tiny bumps on the bottoms of their paws, called papillae, help them grip slippery ice. Thick fur between their paw pads keeps their feet warm and provides even more traction. Every Polar Bear Superpowers story is inspired by the amazing adaptations of real polar bears.

 

Warm paws,

Tilly 🐻❄️

Thanks for reading and exploring Canada with us.