The main secret of polar bears revealed: why ice doesn't stick to their fur (photos).

The icy Arctic environment is a harsh and relentless habitat, making it essential for polar bears to receive all the possible assistance to survive in this region. Researchers have theorized that one of the key secrets to the survival of polar bears lies in their skin, and they have finally unraveled this mystery, as reported by Popular Science.

The study was conducted by a team from Trinity College in Dublin. During the research, scientists discovered that the secret is found in the fatty fur of polar bears. It is believed that the natural oils, or "fur grease," on the animals' coats actually impede the adhesion of ice. These new findings could potentially aid chemists and engineers in developing new anti-icing coatings for more durable fabrics, skis, snowboards, and much more.

According to co-author and chemist Richard Hobbs, beneath two layers of fur, polar bears have a thick layer of fat that helps them retain their body heat. In fact, these layers keep the animals so warm that adult males can move quickly while running. Researchers now believe that ice also accumulates on this layer, providing protection for animals that spend nearly all their time in or around icy waters.

Hobbs notes that animals inhabiting polar environments have also inspired the development of new anti-icing materials. In their latest work, the scientists focused on understanding precisely how this phenomenon occurs.

The team collected fur samples from six wild polar bears and then measured the ice adhesion strength—this helped them understand how well ice can stick to the fur. Next, the researchers examined hydrophobicity—the process that determines whether water can evaporate before freezing. Ultimately, they also analyzed the freezing delay time and calculated how long it takes for a droplet of water to freeze at specific temperatures on certain surfaces.

The researchers also compared the properties of polar bear fur with human hair and two types of ski skins made by humans. According to another co-author of the study, Julian Carolan, he and his colleagues quickly realized that the key factor was the natural oils providing the anti-icing effect.

Unwashed, greasy hair significantly hampered ice adhesion. In contrast, when the polar bear fur was washed and the oils were largely removed, it behaved similarly to human hair, to which ice easily adheres regardless of whether it is washed or greasy.

Subsequently, the scientists conducted a detailed chemical analysis of the natural oils. The team identified key components, including:

• cholesterol;
• diacylglycerols;
• fatty acids.

At the same time, the researchers found that a fatty metabolite called squalene was absent. It is noteworthy that this component has previously been observed in human hair and in the fur of aquatic mammals that do not live in icy conditions. The absence of squalene in polar bear fur is believed to be crucial in preventing icing.