National Polar Bear Day

Happy National/International Polar Bear Day!

I can’t find any history or place of origin for this holiday, but grade schools and zoos across the world celebrate it.

It’s a special day honoring this animal which has one of the best noses in the entire world. Polar Bears can smell food 20 miles away. (Never get between a polar bear and your local sushi bar or Red Lobster)

They use their big dark tongues to taste things. Just like me, polar bears like some foods better than others. Polar bears like lots of fat (My mouth waters at the thought of a baked potato loaded with butter and sour cream!) Some days they chew seaweed. What can I say, I like an occasional salad myself.

Growing up, I believed that their hairs were hollow and conducted ultraviolet light down the shafts to the bears black skin conducting energy used to keep the bear warm. This theory was tested—and disproved—by physicist Daniel Koon. So much for that idea. It sounded good at the time. I also believed that polar bears would lay in the snow and cover up their black noses so the seals wouldn’t see them in time to get away.

If you get lost up in the arctic, you can always ask a polar bear the way (just make sure you’re not wearing a sealskin coat when you do!) Polar bears have an incredible sense of direction. Even though the ice can change from day-to-day, and the night can last six months, polar bears always find their way – even swimming to shore from ice bergs 50 miles at sea. They never use a map. I personally think it’s because they can’t re-fold them. While their sense of touch is extremely keen, they have problems with their fine motor skills..

Need some ideas on how to celebrate today? Tops on my list is visiting the local zoo (I actually did this a week ago, and checked out the polar bears at the zoo in Tucson, all right, maybe that’s not exactly our local zoo, but it’s almost as close) If you’re not into springtime at the zoo, check the nature channels on cable TV. The networks often pick up on holidays like today, and run documentaries.

Did you Know?

It was once believed that all polar bears are left handed. Scientists observing the animals haven't noticed a preference. In fact, polar bears seem to use their right and left paws equally.

Polar Bear Casserole

1 package of ice cream sandwiches
1 can of your favorite frosting (polar bears prefer seal flavored)
1 small container of Cool Whip, thawed

Line a 8x8-inch pan with some of the ice cream sandwiches. Heat the frosting in the microwave for only a few seconds until pourable. (Be sure that the frosting container is microwave safe.) Pour some frosting over the ice cream sandwiches. Cover with layer of cool whip. Repeat the layers, topping with extra cool whip. Freeze until needed. Cut into squares to serve.