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Polar bears roam the Arctic ice sheets and swim in that region's coastal waters. They are very strong swimmers, and their large front paws, which they use to paddle, are slightly webbed.
- 3 min
- Joel Sartore
- Polar bears are found in the frozen wilds of the Arctic, in Canada, Alaska (US), Greenland, Russia and Norway.
- These are seriously big bears, gang. Adult polar bears can measure over 2.5m long and weigh around 680kg. Their huge size and weight make them the largest living carnivores (meat eaters) on Earth!
- Polar bears are well adapted to survive in one of the harshest environments on our planet. As well as their thick fur, they have a layer of fat, called blubber, that insulates (protects) their bodies from the frosty air and near-freezing water.
- These magnificent mammals have an incredible sense of smell which they use to track their favourite grub, seals*. In fact, their sense of smell is so good, they can sniff out prey from up to 16km away!
Learn about polar bears' habitat, diet, behavior, and threats from climate change. See amazing photos and a map of where polar bears live in the Arctic.
- 1 min
How do polar bears survive their Arctic habitat? Is climate change affecting their population? Learn how polar bears have adapted to life on top of the world...
- 4 min
- 1.5M
- Nat Geo WILD
Feb 1, 2018 · A new study reveals that polar bears need to eat 60 percent more than previously thought to survive the melting sea ice. The research, published in Science, used GPS collars, cameras, and blood samples to monitor the bears' metabolism and hunting success.
Oct 19, 2023 · Watch a video that explains how polar bears have adapted to life in the Arctic and how climate change is affecting their population. Learn about their biology, ecology, and threats in this educational resource for grades 5 - 12+.
Learn about the eight species of bears, including polar bears, their diets, habitats, threats, and more. Find out how bears hibernate, what they eat, and why they are endangered.