Polar bear classification

[Danny McG]

I've heard that a polar bear isn't a true bear, it's actually a member of the mink family.

I've done a Google but I've failed to get a definite yay or nay.

 

[Elckerlyc]

From Wikipedia:
"The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is a large bear native to the Arctic and nearby areas. It is closely related to the brown bear, and the two species can interbreed."

 

[chornedsnorkack]

The most divergent bear is actually the giant panda. Who is nevertheless a bear.
The largest mink family members include wolverines, giant otters and sea otters.

 

[Swank]

The polar bear is most closely related to the White Russian, a member of the milk-based cocktail family of beverages.

 

[Danny McG]

It was a sentence in Emergence (1984) by David Palmer and I wondered if he'd simply made it up:-

And what about Kodiak bears? Comforting notion: 1,800 pounds of appetite.
And polar bears—11 feet long (not true bears at all; mink family—dispositions to match).
Both regarded among deadliest carnivores on planet.

 

[AE35Unit]

Definitely a bear, as it can breed with other bear species

 

[HareBrain]

I wondered if he'd simply made it up:

Much more likely he heard it somewhere, liked the idea of having surprising knowledge known to few (because author), and, it being pre-internet, never got round to checking it.

 

[Ursa major]

Much more likely he heard it somewhere

...and, noticing that it had something to do with mink, stole the idea....

 

[Parson]

...and, noticing that it had something to do with mink, stole the idea....

 

[HareBrain]

Quite.

 

[Ursa major]

I think that's a wrap!

 

[AE35Unit]

These puns are unbearable

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Animals often get re-classified as scientists gain more information. For instance, when I was growing up, it was common knowledge that the giant panda was absolutely not a bear, despite appearances to the contrary ... and now science has established that it is.

As for polar bears, the fact that they can interbreed with other bears makes me wonder why anyone ever thought that they were related to minks instead. Maybe Palmer mistook a flippant remark made by someone else for fact, or was just being flippant himself.

 

[Swank]

Gore Vidal says that construction workers are from the fungus kingdom.

 

[AE35Unit]

Did you know that hyaenas, normally seen as a type of dog, are actually closer to cats

 

[Swank]

Did you know that hyaenas, normally seen as a type of dog, are actually closer to cats

Yes.

 

[Montero]

Did you know that hyaenas, normally seen as a type of dog, are actually closer to cats

Huh I didn't.

I did have a memory that the elephant's nearest relative is unexpected and went and checked

These Grumpy-Looking Animals Aren't What They Seem

They love to make friends and live in giant family packs.

www.thedodo.com

The elephant's nearest relative is the rock hyrax and the elephant, the rock hyrax and the manatee are descended from a common ancestor. The wonders of evolution.

 

[AE35Unit]

Ah yes the hyrax!

 

[pogopossum]

Thank you for filling us in. I wouldn't have thought to ax.

 

[Parson]

What is clear is that people who read and write Science Fiction and Fantasy are pretty well informed about a multiplicity of things.