Can you tell the age of a polar bear by the size of its paws?

It is not possible to determine the age of a polar bear by the size of its paws, contrary to popular belief. While the size of a polar bear's paws can give an indication of the bear's overall size, it cannot be used to accurately determine the age of the bear.

There are several other physical and behavioral characteristics that can be used to estimate the age of a polar bear, such as the condition of their teeth and the color of their fur. For example, younger polar bears typically have softer, lighter fur than older bears, which have yellowed and become coarse over time.

It is also worth noting that while the age of a polar bear cannot be determined solely by the size of its paws, the paws themselves are still very important to the bear's survival. Polar bears use their large, webbed paws to distribute their weight evenly on the ice, which allows them to move more efficiently and quietly while hunting their prey.