Polar bear

Polar bears are large mammals that live in the cold arctic regions around the North Pole. They are the biggest land carnivores in the world and are well adapted to life on ice and snow. Their thick white fur and a layer of fat under their skin help them stay warm in freezing temperatures. Although they appear white, their skin underneath is actually black, which helps absorb heat from the sun.

Polar bears spend much of their time on sea ice, where they hunt their main food—seals. They use their strong sense of smell to detect seals resting or breathing through holes in the ice. When they find one, they wait patiently, sometimes for hours, before quickly striking with their sharp claws and powerful jaws. They are also strong swimmers, able to travel long distances in cold water between floating ice sheets.

A full-grown male polar bear, called a boar, can weigh up to 700 kilograms (over 1,500 pounds), while females are smaller. A mother bear, or sow, usually gives birth to one to three cubs in a snow den during winter. The cubs stay with their mother for more than two years, learning how to hunt and survive. Polar bears are solitary animals, meaning they usually live and travel alone, except when mothers raise their young.

The Arctic environment is changing, and polar bears face challenges because the sea ice they depend on is melting earlier each year due to climate change. This makes it harder for them to find enough food. Many scientists study polar bears to understand how these changes affect the Arctic and what can be done to protect them. Some areas have conservation programs to monitor bear populations and reduce harm from pollution and hunting.

Polar bears are important symbols of the Arctic wilderness. They show how animals can survive in one of the coldest places on earth. By protecting them and their icy home, people also help protect the balance of nature in the far north.