Polar bear

Ursus maritimus

Mammalia · Carnivora · Ursidae

Fig. 1. Polar bear

Fig. 2. Range

Length or height	Body length about 1.8-2.6 m (males)
Weight	About 350-700 kg (males)
Food	Carnivore: mainly seals
Lifespan	About 25-30 years
Society	Solitary except mothers with cubs
Habitat	polar, tundra
Range	North America, Europe, Asia
Wild or tame	Wild

A marine mammal: it hunts seals from sea ice. Black skin under hollow, see-through hair.

Observe: Watch the big front paws paddle, and how the bear tests ice with its weight.

Modern data

Status today

VUVulnerable Threatened (US ESA) status to verify

Conservation	Vulnerable; sea-ice loss from warming is the main threat.
Keeper's note	Pools, ice blocks with fish frozen inside, and scent trails keep polar bears busy.
Kingdom · phylum	Animalia · Chordata
Genus	Ursus

Check the record: IUCN Red List · GBIF · ITIS

See it elsewhere in the museum

For classes

Lessons: The Mammal Hall: Weigh the cost of warmthPreviewThe Mammal Hall: What makes a mammal?PreviewThe Great Aquarium: Is a dolphin a fish?Preview

Drawer: Zoo: Polar coast

Quiz: Polar coast quiz · 5 questions