The polar bear (or Ursus maritimus) is a large ursine species that lives in the Arctic Circle and the sub-Arctic regions. With a completely white coat, dark eyes and a dark nose, they are stocky in build, with sturdy legs and large feet that are well adapted to swimming. To minimise heat loss, the bears have small ears and a short tail. Males are between 2.4 and 3.0m long, weighing between 350 and 750kg; females are between 1.8 and 2.4m long, weighing 150 to 250kg. Both sexes feed on both ringed and bearded seals.
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Ursus maritimus
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polar-bear
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Animal Facts
Polar bears are the largest land carnivores in the world.
Polar bears do not need to drink as they can produce water through digesting seal blubber.
Polar bears are one of the most sexually dimorphic mammals (males and females differ extremely in size), surpassed only by the elephant seal.
Polar bears have small bumps called papillae on the pads of their feet to stop them from slipping on ice.
Polar bears are insulated by 10cm of fat tissue under their skin to keep them warm; they will overheat in temperatures over 10C.
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