Polar Bear Blubber Adaptations

A thick layer of blubber helps polar bears and other Arctic animals stay warm in icy water. By using vegetable shortening inside a plastic bag, students can feel the insulating power of blubber firsthand.

1. Fill a large bowl or container with ice and water. Add food coloring if desired.
2. Have students briefly place a bare hand in the ice water to feel how cold it is. Remove the hand quickly.
3. Fill one plastic bag with vegetable shortening.
4. Place a second bag inside the shortening-filled bag so that a hand can fit inside. Seal the tops securely with duct tape to prevent leaks.
5. Put one hand in the blubber glove and the other hand in a plain bag (no shortening).
6. Submerge both hands in the ice water and compare how cold each hand feels.
7. Discuss observations and relate them to how polar bears survive in the Arctic.

Polar Bear Adaptations Activity - Ocean First Institute:

📄 Polar Bear Blubber Experiment - Sarah McClelland : https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/winter-polar-bear-blubber-science-experiment/

• Test different insulating materials such as cotton balls, feathers, packing peanuts, or sand.
• Relate this experiment to other animals like whales or seals that also use blubber.

• Do not leave hands in ice water for extended periods to avoid discomfort or injury.
• Seal bags tightly to prevent leaks and slipping.
• Clean up any spills of shortening immediately to avoid a mess.
• Wash hands thoroughly after the experiment.

• Why does the hand in the shortening-filled bag feel warmer than the bare hand?
• How does blubber compare to clothing in keeping heat in?
• What other adaptations besides blubber help polar bears stay warm in the Arctic?
• Why might polar bears need thick blubber even in summer?
• Could other materials (like fur or feathers) work as well as blubber for insulation?