The post Memphis Zoo Polar Bear Loves Tennessee’s Wintry Weather appeared first on A-Z Animals.

Quick Take

• A harsh ice storm recently swept through much of the U.S., including Tennessee.

• At the Memphis Zoo, Koda the polar bear enjoyed the weather immensely.

• Though Koda has a chilled pool and ice areas in her enclosure, the snow and ice were a welcome treat for the polar bear.

• Polar bears are well adapted to the cold; Arctic temperatures drop as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit.

Tennessee just got hit with a harsh ice storm, leaving hundreds of thousands without power. While this insane weather was difficult for many, a few lucky animals felt right at home, enjoying the cold temperatures and snow. At the Memphis Zoo, Koda the polar bear soaked up the cold. This Instagram post by the @memphiszoo shows the polar bear rolling around and playing in the snow. Read here to learn more about why polar bears love snow so much!

Polar Bear Heaven

The video linked above is one of the cutest things you will see all week. While many Tennesseans found the recent harsh winter storm a challenge, Koda the polar bear made the most of it. In the video, the bear rolls around in the snow. In Memphis, snowfall averages about 3 inches per year, with snow events occurring occasionally—some years seeing one or two snowfalls, and other years with little or none. But this stronger-than-normal storm brought in high levels of snow and lower-than-normal temperatures.

While Koda is enjoying the snow, polar bears surprisingly spend more time in the water than on the snow. As seen in the video, Koda has a chilled pool available, and the zoo states that it has shaded areas, ice areas, and temperature-controlled rooms to allow for temperature self-regulation. The snowstorm is the cherry on top of Koda’s happiness. The added chill often brings out species-specific behaviors in polar bears that make them much happier.

How Cold Do Polar Bears Like It?

Polar bears are Arctic animals, meaning that they’re pretty used to the cold. They have many adaptations to survive the otherwise harsh conditions. For example, they have thick fur and a dense layer of fat, both of which help to insulate them in the freezing temperatures. Their paws are also perfect for traversing slippery environments. The large surface area helps them distribute their weight, allowing them to walk on the ice and swim quickly in the frigid waters. These adaptations make snow and ice the preferred conditions for polar bears. The air temperatures in their Arctic habitats vary by season but are cold relative to what many humans experience year-round. In the winter, temperatures get down to -30 degrees Fahrenheit and only reach a high of 40 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. Given polar bears’ love for cold, it’s no surprise that Koda is so happy to see a bit of snow.

The post Memphis Zoo Polar Bear Loves Tennessee’s Wintry Weather appeared first on A-Z Animals.