Adaptation
The scientific name Ursus maritimus means 'sea bear.'
Polar bears are adapted swimmers and live throughout the Arctic where sea ice helps them hunt seals.
Polar Bear Facts
Polar bears are Arctic marine mammals adapted to hunting seals from sea ice. Their swimming ability, sensitive sense of smell, insulated bodies, and denning behavior are closely tied to the frozen ocean environment.
Scientific name
Ursus maritimus
Animal group
Mammal
Diet
Mostly seals
Habitat
Arctic sea ice
Social life
Mostly solitary
Conservation pressure
Sea-ice loss
Explained facts
6 Interesting Polar Bear Facts
Diet
Ringed seals are a polar bear's main prey.
Polar bears wait at breathing holes and cracks in sea ice, relying on seals for the high-energy diet they need.
Behavior
Most polar bears do not hibernate.
Except for pregnant females in dens, polar bears continue hunting through winter when conditions allow.
Adaptation
Polar bears can detect seals from long distances.
Their strong sense of smell can locate seals on the ice and help find breathing holes under snow.
Adaptation
Polar bears can swim more than 100 kilometers without rest.
Their broad front feet paddle while their hind legs help steer, allowing long swims in search of food or ice.
Reproduction
Pregnant polar bears give birth in snow dens.
A pregnant female uses a maternity den during pregnancy and the first months of a cub's life, relying on stored body fat.
What is a polar bear?
The polar bear is a marine mammal and the largest bear species, adapted to the cold Arctic Ocean and its sea ice.
Broad front feet provide paddling power, while hind legs act as rudders when swimming.
Sea-ice hunting
Polar bears use patient sit-and-wait hunting at seal breathing holes rather than long chases.
Sea ice gives bears access to seals; when ice is absent, other foods do not reliably replace this high-calorie prey.
Dens and cubs
Pregnant females dig maternity dens, usually in snow, and give birth there during winter.
Cubs are born tiny and depend on their mother for warmth and rich milk before they explore outside the den.
Conservation
Loss of Arctic sea ice makes it harder for polar bears to hunt and can force them to travel farther or spend more time on land.
Safeguarding habitat and reducing climate impacts are central to polar bear conservation.
Polar Bear FAQ
Do polar bears hibernate?
Most do not. Pregnant females den over winter, while other bears can continue hunting when conditions allow.
What do polar bears eat?
They mainly eat seals, especially ringed seals, hunted from sea ice.
Why do polar bears need sea ice?
Sea ice gives polar bears access to seal prey and hunting areas; without it, they struggle to obtain the same reliable, high-energy diet.
Sources
- Polar Bear - San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants. Accessed 2026-07-17.