Facts About Polar Bears
Published October 20, 2026 · FactsSeeker
Polar bears are highly specialized Arctic bears whose bodies, behavior, and life cycle are closely tied to sea ice. Their adaptations help them stay warm, move across ice and water, find seals, and raise cubs in snow dens. At the same time, the source describes conservation concerns linked to sea ice loss and increasing development in their Arctic range.
Their scientific name means sea bear
The polar bear’s taxonomic name is Ursus maritimus. The meaning, “sea bear,” reflects how closely the species is associated with Arctic marine habitats and swimming rather than only land travel. [1]
Their white-looking coat is not truly white
Polar bears appear white, but the source explains that their hair is actually made of clear, hollow tubes filled with air. Their fur may look cream colored or yellow when affected by diet oils, sunlight oxidation, or residue on the coat. [1]
A thick fat layer stores energy and helps in cold water
When food is scarce, a polar bear can draw on stored fat as backup energy. The source also says this fat may help insulate the animal, produce heat in freezing conditions, and support flotation in water; it can be 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) thick. [1]
Most polar bears do not hibernate
Unlike black bears and brown bears, polar bears generally remain active through winter. Pregnant females are the exception: they stay in snow dens while pregnancy, birth, and early cub care occur, using stored fat and a slower metabolism during winter sleep. [1]
Sea ice is central to their seal hunting
Polar bears live across Arctic areas where sea ice gives them access to seals. They hunt at wide cracks and breathing holes, making sea ice not just a platform for travel but a key part of how they feed. [1]
They are capable of very long swims
Polar bears use broad front feet like paddles and their back legs to steer. The source reports that they have been known to swim more than 60 miles (about 100 kilometers) without resting while searching for food. [1]
Their sense of smell is powerful enough to locate hidden seals
A polar bear can detect seal-related scents from remarkable distances. The source says it can smell a seal on ice 20 miles (32 kilometers) away, find a snow-covered seal den, and locate a seal air hole up to 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) away. [1]
Their eyes are adapted for water and snow
Polar bears can see underwater while searching for possible prey. They also have a third eyelid, called a nictitating membrane, that helps them see underwater and protects their eyes when snow is blowing. [1]
Their feet help them move quietly on ice
Polar bear paws have features suited to slippery Arctic surfaces. Small bumps on the pads may improve traction, while stiff fur on the soles helps prevent slipping and can quiet the sound of a bear approaching a sleeping seal. [1]
They often rely on patient hunting rather than chasing
Moving through the Arctic environment takes a polar bear twice as much energy as it does for most other mammals. That energy cost helps explain why they rest frequently and often wait above seal breathing holes instead of pursuing prey over long distances. [1]
Ringed seals are their main prey
Ringed seals are described as the polar bear’s primary prey because they are the most common seal in the Arctic. The source says one ringed seal can provide enough energy for 11 days, while polar bears typically eat every four to five days. [1]
Other foods do not replace the seal-based diet
Polar bears may eat a wide range of foods when available, including walrus, caribou, beached whales, grass, and seaweed. However, the source emphasizes that these alternatives have not been shown to provide adequate and reliable nutrition compared with the high-calorie diet seals provide. [1]
They are usually solitary but can be social at times
Except for mothers with cubs, polar bears are generally solitary. Still, some bears form friendships lasting weeks or even years, and several bears may gather where food such as a whale carcass or human garbage is available. [1]
Reproduction includes delayed implantation
After mating, a fertilized egg does not immediately implant and develop. Implantation depends on the female’s body condition and environmental factors, an adaptation described as delayed implantation that helps time cub birth for better survival chances. [1]
Cubs are born small and develop in the den
Polar bear mothers usually give birth in December or January to one to three cubs, most commonly twins. Cubs weigh just over a pound (0.5 kilograms) at birth, are hairless with closed eyes, and rely on their mother’s milk, which the source says is 36 percent fat. [1]
Current conservation estimates are cautious snapshots
The source states that conservation scientists estimate about 26,000 polar bears remain in the Arctic today. It also links their conservation crisis to record-breaking sea ice losses and increasing industrial-scale development, while noting that in areas where sea ice melts completely, bears may move ashore and fast or scavenge until ice forms again. [1]
Sources & further reading
Polar bear biology varies by individual, season, and region. Conservation estimates and behavioral findings should be read as evidence-based snapshots from the cited source, not as fixed values for every bear or every Arctic location.
Sources checked 2026-10-19. Our approach to facts · Suggest a correction