This Playful Polar Bear Loves Swimming Just Like We Do

Is there anything better than diving into cold water in the summertime? Polar bears love plunging into refreshing water as well. These Arctic animals enjoy swimming just like humans do, and one zoo shared the cutest video of a polar bear jumping into a pool.

The Oregon Zoo shared a video on YouTube of one of their polar bears named Nora. The white polar bear stands on rocks over a pool in the zoo enclosure before lifting her two front paws off the ground and using her back legs to propel herself into the water. She doesn’t simply fall in; instead, she gracefully dives into the water, making a big splash as she disappears below the surface.

Later, the video cuts to Nora chewing on a piece of bamboo while hanging out in the pool. It also goes underwater with the polar bear, filming Nora swimming down with her fur floating through the water. Other highlights of this adorable video include several angles of Nora jumping in the water (she clearly loves it!), a moment when she plays with leaves in the water, and a shot of her doggy paddling with her nose above the surface. She’s so cute, we could watch her swim all day!

People loved this video; it’s essentially ASMR for anyone who enjoys watching animals at peace, just like we do. “I love the way her fur ripples when she is underwater,” one person wrote. Someone else commented, “Somehow the underwater images show her true magnificence even more than on land, where they are already so awesome.”

Are They Natural Swimmers?

Polar bears are natural swimmers and are the only bear in the world considered marine animals. In fact, their scientific name is Ursus maritimus, which means “sea bear.” They can cover long distances in the water and have even been spotted up to 100 miles from the closest land or ice. Researchers have recorded an adult female polar bear swimming for nine days straight, although they more typically swim for a few hours at a time.

Their broad paws allow them to paddle in the water, with long necks that help them keep their heads above the surface when swimming. They can swim at 6 mph, which is helpful when they hunt for seals, walruses, fish, and more. These incredible animals can also see underwater thanks to a special third eyelid, which allows them to see up to approximately 15 feet underwater.

How Long Can They Hold Their Breath?

Polar bears can hold their breath underwater for up to 2 minutes at a time! They can hold their breath for so long because of their large lung capacity and a high concentration of myoglobin, which allows them to store oxygen in their muscle tissue. Additionally, their naturally slow heart rate and low body temperature help conserve oxygen. This impressive ability helps them hunt for food while underwater.

Polar Bears Are Adapted to the Cold

Polar bears have many distinct features that help them stay warm in the cold water in the Arctic Circle, Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Canada, and Alaska, where they live. They have thick, dense fur with a warm undercoat that traps heat, as well as a layer of fat to insulate them from the cold. They also have fur on the bottoms of their feet, which keeps them warm and helps them grip the ice. Their long, sharp claws further aid in gripping the ice. These cold-weather animals can tolerate temperatures as low as -40°C (-104°F). However, they start to overheat when temperatures rise above 10°C (50°F). Swimming can help keep polar bears cool in the warmer months.

Research has shown that polar bears spend more time swimming during the summer months. Some studies have found that 75% of polar bears swim daily from May to July. Mothers with new cubs spend less time in the water until mid-summer, as the cubs are more vulnerable to hypothermia. Polar bears are playful creatures, so they also like swimming for the same reason humans do: it’s just plain fun!

Climate Change Affects Polar Bears

This fascinating animal is the largest bear species in the world and the largest land carnivore on Earth. They are classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a status also recognized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), which indicates they are at high risk of endangerment in the wild, primarily due to projected or suspected population declines.  This is due in part to climate change, as ice in the Arctic is melting. Since polar bears rely on ice for everything from hunting to mating, this habitat loss forces them to move inland, where finding food is more difficult.

Nora, the polar bear who lives at the Oregon Zoo in the video above, has helped contribute to wildlife research with her love of swimming. In 2023, Nora helped researchers beta test the Burr on Fur prototype, designed by 3M and Polar Bears International, to help conservationists track polar bears in the wild. Scientists have traditionally used satellite collars to track polar bears, but these are difficult to monitor in the wild and cannot be used on male polar bears due to their wider necks. This device would allow researchers to safely track polar bears’ movements.

“Nora’s a great beta tester,” Amy Hash, supervisor in the Oregon Zoo’s marine life area, said in a press release. “The way she dives and splashes really helps evaluate how effective a technology like this will be.”