Polar bears rely heavily on sea ice for traveling, hunting, resting, mating and, in some areas, maternal dens.
Their diet mainly consists of ringed and bearded seals because they need large amounts of fat to survive. A polar bear might catch only one or two out of 10 seals it hunts, depending on the time of year and other variables. Polar bears spend over 50% of their time hunting for food. They have a thick layer of body fat and a water-repellent coat that insulates them from the cold air and water. In the United States, Alaska is home to two polar bear subpopulations.Ĭonsidered talented swimmers, polar bears can sustain a pace of six miles per hour by paddling with their front paws and holding their hind legs flat like a rudder. The polar bear's Latin name, Ursus maritimus, means "sea bear." It's an apt name for this majestic species, which spends much of its life in, around, or on the ocean–predominantly on the sea ice.
The largest bear in the world and the Arctic's top predator, polar bears are a powerful symbol of the strength and endurance of the Arctic.
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