LIFE AT THE EDGE OF THE ARCTIC

Built for a world of ice and ocean.

Meet Ursus maritimus — the polar bear. Follow its journey from ancient brown-bear ancestors to one of the Arctic's most remarkable marine hunters.

Explore their story Quick facts

20–30years typical lifespan

40 km/hshort-distance speed

Arcticcircumpolar range

Scientific nameUrsus maritimus

Name meaning“Sea bear”

ORIGIN & EVOLUTION

From brown bear to Arctic specialist

Polar bears evolved from brown-bear ancestors as populations adapted to icy northern coastlines and a marine diet. Over many generations, traits favoring swimming, insulation and hunting on sea ice became increasingly important.

Shared ancestry

Polar and brown bears remain close relatives and can still produce fertile hybrid offspring.

Life follows the ice

Access to sea ice opened a rich hunting niche where seals provided energy-dense food.

A marine hunter

Large paws, dense fur, thick fat and a strong sense of smell helped shape the modern polar bear.

Polar bear walking through Arctic sea ice

DAILY LIFE

A life synchronized with sea ice

Polar bears are mostly solitary. They travel immense distances across frozen ocean and coastlines, resting when needed and searching constantly for hunting opportunities.

Travel

Powerful legs and broad paws help them cross snow, pressure ridges and open water.

Rest

They conserve energy whenever possible, especially when hunting conditions are poor.

Family

Mothers raise cubs alone, teaching them the skills needed to survive in the Arctic.

Swimming

Their front paws act like paddles while the hind legs help steer through cold water.

FOOD & HUNTING

What does a polar bear eat?

Polar bears are highly specialized predators. Seals are their most important prey because seal fat provides the concentrated energy needed to survive Arctic cold.

Seals

Ringed and bearded seals are among the most important prey species.

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Opportunistic foods

When available, bears may eat carcasses, eggs, birds and vegetation, but these rarely replace the energy gained from seals.

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Patience hunter

They often wait quietly near seal breathing holes or search the ice edge for a chance to strike.

ARCTIC ENGINEERING

Made for extreme cold

Every part of a polar bear helps it conserve heat, move across ice or find food in a vast white landscape.

01
Insulating coat
Dense underfur and guard hairs trap air and reduce heat loss.
02
Thick fat layer
Body fat stores energy and adds insulation in freezing water.
03
Oversized paws
Wide paws spread weight on snow and work as paddles while swimming.
04
Powerful sense of smell
A sensitive nose helps locate prey across great distances and beneath snow.

THE FUTURE OF THE ARCTIC

Their habitat is changing

Polar bears depend heavily on sea ice as a platform for hunting seals. When sea ice forms later or melts earlier, bears may have less time to feed and may need to travel farther.

Protecting polar bears means protecting an ecosystem.

Research, careful wildlife management and action that limits long-term warming all matter for the Arctic's future.