The animal kingdom is full of instantly recognisable species, such as the leggy giraffe, the big-eared elephant and the finned shark. But when you start to get really up-close, you might not be quite as sure anymore – even the most well-known creatures can become hard to identify.
Here, we’ve found a close-up image of an animal. Can you guess which one it is in less than 12 seconds? Your time starts… now!

Still not sure? Ok, here’s a photo of the same animal, captured from a slightly different angle.

Want a clue? While this Arctic animal might look white and furry (although a bit damp here), it actually has black skin underneath.
Ready to discover whether you’ve guessed correctly? Look at the bottom of this article to reveal the answer.
More wildlife stories from around the world
- Snow shoes, ‘anti-freeze’ blood and group hugs: How 10 snow animals outsmart winter
- Are there snakes in the freezing Arctic?
- "They are the only canid with fur on the pads of their feet, like built-in snowshoes." 11 Arctic animals that thrive in this inhospitable freezing landscape
Question: what is the animal in the photos above? Answer: polar bear









