Common name

Polar bear

Species name

Ursus maritimus

ARKive fact

When food is available polar bears have a remarkable ability to devour large amounts rapidly, and are also metabolically unique in their ability to switch from a normal state to a slowed-down, hibernation-like condition at any time of year when there is less food available. During this fasting time, they synthesise their fat and protein stores and recycle metabolic by-products.

Conservation status

Vulnerable

Distribution

Found throughout the circumpolar Arctic on ice-covered waters, from Canada, to Norway, parts of the US, the former USSR and Greenland (Denmark).

Habitat

The preferred habitat is the annual ice near the coastlines of continents and islands, where there are large numbers of ringed seals, on which these bears feed.

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