Wild Animals A-Z

Mammals
Mammals » Wild Animals A-Z »

Polar Bear

Ursus maritimus

Bear of the Sea: The semiaquatic polar bear was once considered to be nomadic, but has since been shown to have a very large home range — up to about 115 square miles. Ringed seals are their preferred prey, but in winter, they will eat anything they can catch. In summer, they eat leaves, berries and seaweed.

Adapted for Cold: Polar bears are made for the cold. Their hairs are hollow, making for excellent insulation that is capable of trapping much of their body heat. Only the nose and eyes radiate heat, so they cover them with their paws when they sleep.

The Polar Bear's Downfall: This adaptation to freezing temperatures may be the polar bear's downfall at this time of global warming. As the earth heats up due to human-created greenhouse gases, the ice has begun to melt, putting the existence of the polar bear in jeopardy.

Explore More

MORE MASSIVE CARNIVORES

Grizzly Bear
You gonna eat that salmon? How about those berries?

Black Bear
Meet the black bear, champion of the six month "nap."

Lion
King of the jungle? The lion certainly thinks so!

Orca
What's black and white and swims all over? It's the orca!

Crocodile
The next best thing to a dinosaur: meet the crocodile.

Whale
Thar' she blows! Dive into the wonderful world of whales.

MORE POLAR BEAR

VIDEO: Daring Polar Bear Rescue

VIDEO: Polar Bear Attack Zoo Visitor

VIDEO: Slim Pickings for Polar Bears

VIDEO: An Uncertain Future

EXPERT: On Filming Polar Bears (photos, audio)

QUIZ: "On Thin Ice" Quiz

TOP 10: Top Animal Mom

EXPERT: A Chat with Peter Gros

DID YOU KNOW?

One Hairy Bear: The polar bear has about one million hairs per square inch, which helps it stay warm in icy cold water. In comparison. humans have about 20,000 hairs per square inch on their heads.

Chilled Out: The polar bear is so well-adapted to freezing temperatures that it overheats at those above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This is why their zoo enclosures are typically refridgerated and equipped with chilled cooling pools.

No Food? No Problem: Able to shift into a hibernation-like metabolism pattern during periods of food shortage, the polar bear is the most advanced of all mammals when it comes to dealing with food and water depravation.

Polar Bear Tourism: The best place to view polar bears in the wild is the small town of Churchill at Hudson Bay. The polar bears often walk within 10 feet of the visiting eco-tourists.

How Stuff Works

Will I Die If I Eat Polar Bear Liver?
Polar bear liver isn't something you're likely to see at your local grocery store. Still, could you die if you eat it? Find out at HowStuffWorks.com.