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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. The polar bear is the largest extant species of bear and land carnivore, with adult males weighing 300–800 kg (660–1,760 lb).
Jun 29, 2024 · Learn about the polar bear, the largest and most powerful carnivore on land, that lives in the Arctic region and feeds on seals and other prey. Find out how climate change, hunting, and human activities threaten its survival and what is being done to protect it.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- A polar bear is a great white northern bear (family Ursidae) found throughout the Arctic region. Except for one subspecies of grizzly bear, the pol...
- Polar bears are mostly carnivorous. They eat the ringed seal as well as the bearded seal and other pinnipeds. Additionally, polar bears are opportu...
- One important adaptation of polar bears to their unique climate is the transparency of their thick fur, which allows sunlight to pass through and r...
- No, polar bears are not an endangered species, but they are threatened. In 2015 the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Polar Bea...
Learn about the largest bear in the world and the Arctic's top predator, which is vulnerable to climate change and human-bear conflicts. Find out how WWF is protecting polar bears and their habitat through research, advocacy and community initiatives.
- Arctic Adaptations
- Hunting
- Breeding and Behavior
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Polar bears live in one of the planet's coldest environments and depend on a thick coat of insulated fur, which covers a warming layer of fat. Fur even grows on the bottom of their paws, which protects against cold surfaces and provides a good grip on ice. The bear's stark white coat provides camouflage in surrounding snow and ice. But under their ...
These powerful predators typically prey on seals. In search of this quarry they frequent areas of shifting, cracking ice where seals may surface to breathe air. They also stalk ice edges and breathing holes. If the opportunity presents itself, polar bears will also consume carcasses, such as those of dead whales. These Arctic giants are the masters...
Females den by digging into deep snow drifts, which provide protection and insulation from the Arctic elements. They give birth in winter, usually to twins. Young cubs live with their mothers for some 28 months to learn the survival skills of the far north. Females aggressively protect their young, but receive no help from their solitary male mates...
Learn about the polar bear, a powerful predator that lives in the Arctic ice and depends on seals for food. Find out how climate change, human activities, and natural enemies affect their survival and population.
Polar bear. Majestic creature of the far north, the polar bear is the world’s largest terrestrial carnivore. Its Latin name, Ursus maritimus, means ‘sea bear’: an apt name for this amazing animal, which spends much of its life in, around, or on the water – predominantly on the sea ice.
Learn about the marine mammals that are the largest land carnivores in the world, their hunting strategies, threats and adaptations. Discover how WWF is working to protect polar bears and their habitat in the Arctic.
The Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is a hypercarnivorous bear found within the Arctic Circle, encompassing the Arctic Ocean, its surrounding seas and surrounding land masses. It is the largest extant bear species, as well as the largest extant land carnivore.
