If a polar bear isn’t white, what color is it? Discover the amazing ways birds and mammals stay warm, alive, and thrive in frigid Arctic temperatures.

Here’s our trail map:

• What Birds Did God Design to Live In the Arctic?
• What Mammals Did God Design to Live In the Arctic?
• What Color Is a Polar Bear’s Fur?
• How Does God’s Light Help Us Live and Thrive?

Episode Links:

Jill Smith’s Book, Nature Unveiled: https://jillsmith.my.canva.site/life-long-learner

Get full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/club

Free Arctic Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/polar-bear-color

Explore Apologia’s curriculum and classes: https://www.apologia.com/

Apologia’s Earth Science Curriculum: https://www.apologia.com/shop/apologia-advantage-set-earth-science-with-junior-notebooking-journal/

Order Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

“How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” Psalm 104:24 (NIV)

“Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” Genesis 1:3 (NCV)

“Then God said, ‘Let there be lights in the sky to separate day from night. These lights will be used for signs, seasons, days, and years. They will be in the sky to give light to the earth.’ And it happened. So God made the two large lights. He made the brighter light to rule the day and made the smaller light to rule the night. He also made the stars.” Genesis 1:14-16 (NCV)

“The true Light that gives light to all was coming into the world!” John 1:9 (NCV)

“In him there was life, and that life was the light of all people.” John 1:4 (NCV)

“In the past you were full of darkness, but now you are full of light in the Lord. So live like children who belong to the light. Light brings every kind of goodness, right living, and truth.” Ephesians 5:8-9 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Countercurrent Circulation: A design allowing a bird to keep its body warm, even while its legs are in icy cold water, by trading heat between the blood in their feet and the rest of their bodies.

Mammal: A group of animals that have hair or fur, are warm-blooded, have a backbone, (most) have live births, and feed their babies with milk from their bodies.

Guard Hairs: Longer coarse, or rough, hair that acts kind of like a raincoat, protecting an animal from rain or wet snow.

Transparent: See-through.

Undercoat: Short, dense, and soft fur growing beneath the outer guard hairs.

Sebum Oil: Natural oil made by the body's sebaceous glands. Animals that make this oil use it to coat their fur like a waterproof layer.

Back Fat: Thick layer of fat beneath the skin. Some animals can store this layer of fat to use as energy throughout the winter.

Blubber: Thick layer of fat beneath the skin on marine mammals including seals, whales, polar bears, and walruses. Used as energy and insulation.

Hibernation: When an animal goes into a dormant, sleepy state and its metabolism slows, heart rate slows, and body temperature lowers.

Metabolism: A chemical process in a body that changes food into energy. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Gift the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/club