Polar Bear – The Arctic's Apex Predator

The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is one of the most iconic and powerful carnivores on the planet.

Native to the Arctic Circle, polar bears are uniquely adapted to survive in extreme cold, icy waters, and vast tundras.

As the world’s largest land carnivore, the polar bear plays a critical role in maintaining the health of the Arctic ecosystem.

Where Do Polar Bears Live?

Polar bears live in the Arctic regions of Canada, Alaska (USA), Greenland, Russia, and Norway (Svalbard).

They rely heavily on sea ice to hunt, breed, and migrate.

As ice melts due to climate change, polar bears are forced to travel longer distances in search of food.

What Do Polar Bears Eat?

Polar bears are obligate carnivores with a diet focused primarily on:

• Seals (especially ringed and bearded seals)


• Occasionally walrus, beluga whale carcasses, and birds


• When food is scarce, they may scavenge on vegetation or human waste

Polar Bear Characteristics

• Weight: Males can weigh up to 1,600 pounds (720 kg)


• Length: Up to 10 feet (3 meters)


• Fur appears white but is actually translucent and helps with camouflage


• Thick blubber layer provides insulation


• Strong swimmers – can swim for days across icy waters

Are Polar Bears Endangered?

Polar bears are classified as vulnerable by the IU

Their survival is threatened by:

• Climate change – sea ice is rapidly disappearing


• Pollution – toxins accumulate in Arctic food chains


• Oil drilling and shipping disturb natural habitats


• Human-wildlife conflict in coastal settlements

Polar Bear Facts – Did You Know?

• They can smell seals from over 1 km away under thick snow


• Polar bears can swim over 100 km without rest


• Their skin is actually black to absorb and retain heat


• They are almost entirely carnivorous—the most carnivorous of all bear species

Best Places to See Polar Bears in the Wild

• Churchill, Manitoba (Canada) – nicknamed the “Polar Bear Capital of the World”


• Svalbard, Norway – excellent for Arctic wildlife tours


• Wrangel Island, Russia – UNESCO World Heritage Site


• Alaska, USA – remote locations like Kaktovik

Why Protect Polar Bears?

Polar bears are a keystone species in the Arctic.

Their decline signals dramatic changes in the ecosystem due to global warming.

By protecting polar bears, we also protect countless other species and the future of the Arctic.