Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are majestic marine mammals native to the Arctic Circle, encompassing the Arctic Ocean, its surrounding seas, and surrounding landmasses. They are the largest land carnivores in the world and are well-adapted to life in the cold environment of the Arctic.
Adult male polar bears, known as boars, typically weigh between 900 to 1,600 pounds (410 to 720 kilograms) and measure 8 to 10 feet (2.4 to 3 meters) in length. Females, or sows, are smaller, usually weighing 400 to 700 pounds (180 to 320 kilograms) and measuring 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 meters) in length.
Polar bears are incredibly strong and powerful, with the ability to drag a seal weighing hundred of pounds out of the water and onto the ice.
Polar bears are surprisingly fast for their size. They can run up to 25 miles per hour (40 kilometers per hour) on land. In the water, they are excellent swimmers, capable of swimming at speeds of up to 6 miles per hour (10 kilometers per hour) and covering distances of over 60 miles (97 kilometers) without resting.
Despite their bulk, they are agile and capable of quickly changing direction while hunting or navigating through the ice.
Polar bears have two layers of fur: a dense undercoat and an outer layer of guard hairs that appear white but are actually transparent and hollow. This fur, combined with a thick layer of blubber, provides insulation against the freezing temperatures.
Their skin is black, which helps absorb and retain heat from the sun. Their large paws, up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) in diameter, act like snowshoes, distributing their weight and helping them walk on thin ice.
The paws are also equipped with rough pads and sharp claws, aiding in gripping the ice and catching prey. Polar bears primarily feed on seals, especially ringed and bearded seals.
They rely on sea ice to hunt, using it as a platform to wait near breathing holes or to stalk seals resting on the ice. Polar bears employ a method called still-hunting, where they wait motionlessly by a seal’s breathing hole and pounce when the seal surfaces for air.
They are also known to break into seal dens to catch pups.
Polar bears mate in the spring, from March to May. After mating, the fertilized egg remains in a state of suspended development until the fall when the female enters a den to give birth. Females usually give birth to twin cubs, although single or triplet births can occur. Cubs are born in December or January and weigh about 1.3 pounds (600 grams) at birth.
They stay with their mother for about two and a half years, learning essential survival skills.
The primary threat to polar bears is climate change, which is causing the loss of sea ice, their primary habitat and hunting ground. Other threats include oil and gas development, shipping, and pollution.
Conservation measures focus on mitigating climate change, protecting critical habitats, and reducing human-bear conflicts. International agreements, such as the 1973 Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears, aim to protect polar bear populations across the Arctic.
Fun Fact
Despite their fierce reputation, polar bears have a playful side. They have been observed engaging in mock fights and playing with objects such as chunks of ice or driftwood. This playful behavior helps young bears develop the skills they need to survive in the harsh Arctic environment.