Building Blubber

The polar bear lives way up in the Arctic where temperatures reach -50°F (water freezes at 32°F). They hunt fish and seals in the icy waters. In fact, polar bears can swim 30 miles at a time to get from one piece of ice to another. But how do they stay warm?

Hello there! I’m Roger Patterson, the host of Unlocking Science on Answers TV. Let’s have some fun as we investigate God’s amazing creation.

Polar bears don’t wear a hat and mittens like you, but God gave them over four inches of blubber (fat) for insulation. This layer of fat helps keep the polar bear afloat in the water and provides energy for the bear when there’s not much food around.

Other animals like whales, seals, and sea lions also stay warm with blubber. God equipped all his creatures to survive in their surroundings.

Want to know how it feels to stay warm wrapped in a layer of blubber? For this experiment, we’ll use a different kind of fat—shortening. Shortening is used in food such as pies, cake icing, and fried chicken.

Let’s Do It!

Blubber Building Supplies

• 1 large bowl
• Ice cubes
• Can of shortening
• 2 one-gallon plastic zipper bags
• Duct tape
• Stopwatch
• Notebook and pencil
• Vinyl or latex glove (optional)
• Blue food coloring (optional)

Note: Shortening is sometimes made of animal fat, but it’s usually made of plant oils that have been hydrogenated (hi-DRAH-jen-ay-ted). Hydrogenation happens when a liquid fat turns into a solid fat after the manufacturer heats the oils with hydrogen gas to make new chemical bonds.

Blubber Up

1. Fill the bowl with ice and water. You can add a few drops of blue food coloring if you want.
2. Stick your hand in the ice and water for 30 seconds. Ask someone to use the stopwatch to time you.
3. In your notebook, record how your hand looked and felt when you took it out of the water.
4. Fill one plastic zipper bag with shortening.
5. Put your hand in another plastic zipper bag or a vinyl or latex glove. (If you use a plastic bag, ask an adult to help you tape the opening of the plastic bag around your hand.)
6. Stick your covered hand into the baggie filled with shortening. (Again, ask an adult to help you tape the opening of the bag around your hand.)
7. Move your hand around so that it is covered in the shortening. Make sure it gets between your fingers and covers as much of your hand as possible.
8. With your hand still sealed in the bag of shortening, submerge your hand in the water for 30 seconds. Ask someone to use the stopwatch to time you.
9. In your notebook, record how your hand looked and felt when you took it out of the water.

Ask Yourself . . .

• With the shortening coating your hand, did the water feel as cold as without it? Why or why not?
• Did your hand look the same color after being in the ice water and covered with shortening?
• How long can you keep your hand in the ice water and still be comfortable with it covered in shortening?
• How is the shortening on your hand like the blubber of a polar bear? How is it different?

Other Ways Polar Bears Bear the Cold

• Polar bears are covered in two layers of fur. The outer layer is long, oily, and resistant to water. The under coat is shorter and keeps the heat close to the bear’s skin.
• Beneath their fur, polar bears have black skin, which absorbs the sun’s warm rays.