Mammal · GBIF taxon 2433451
Polar Bear
Ursus maritimusAlso known as Ice Bear, White Bear, Sea Bear, Nanuq
Polar bears spend most of their lives on the frozen Arctic sea ice, hunting seals through breathing holes or stalking them across floes. Their thick coat of water-repellent fur appears white but covers jet-black skin designed to absorb radiant solar energy, while a substantial layer of blubber insulates them against frigid waters. Female polar bears construct snow dens in late autumn to give birth to tiny cubs that remain under their protection for over two years.
Apex PredatorArcticMarine Mammal
—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Ringed Seal
- Bearded Seal
- Walrus
Predators
- Humans
- Other Polar Bears
ThreatsClimate change and sea ice loss, oil spills, chemical pollution, and human conflict
HabitatsArctic sea ice, coastal tundra, and open ocean
Life span15 to 25 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyUrsidae
- SpeciesUrsus maritimus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Extremely large, powerful apex predator; maintain extreme distance and travel only with trained armed guides.
- Why it is dangerous
- As massive carnivorous apex predators, polar bears actively hunt large mammals and view humans as potential prey.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Distinguished by immense body mass, yellowish-white fur, long neck, black nose, and very broad paws.
- What to do
- Never approach on foot or snowmobile, carry bear spray and signal flares, and retreat inside a secure shelter if one approaches.
- What to notice
- Look for giant paw prints on sea ice, white silhouettes on tundra shorelines, or individuals swimming offshore.
- Support conservation
- Observe exclusively from authorized tourist vessels or vehicles to avoid disturbing vital hunting or resting activity.
Responsible observation
- Guide Escort: Always travel in polar bear territory with experienced local guides and approved deterrents.
- Distance Maintenance: Keep at least several hundred meters away and view through high-powered optics or telephoto lenses.
- Food Storage: Store food and waste in bear-proof containers or secure structures to prevent attraction.
Primary Prey (c) Kingfisher, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Prey 
Scavenger Companion Jonathen Pie https://unsplash.com/@r3dmax / CC0 · cc0
Close Relative (c) Nathan Ruser, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Nathan Ruser · cc-by
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.