Polar Bear

A polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is a large marine mammal and the largest land carnivore on Earth. It is native to the Arctic Circle and is uniquely adapted to life in the cold, icy environment.

Polar bears have a thick layer of fat and a dense coat of fur that provides excellent insulation from the cold. Their fur appears white, but the individual hairs are actually transparent and hollow, which helps to trap heat. They have large paws that are well-suited for walking on snow and ice and for swimming, with non-retractable claws.

Polar bears are found in the Arctic regions of Canada, the United States (Alaska), Russia, Greenland, and Norway. They are considered marine mammals because they spend most of their lives on the sea ice. They are apex predators, and their diet consists almost entirely of ringed seals and bearded seals, which they hunt from the edge of the sea ice.

Polar bears are considered a vulnerable species, with their population at risk due to climate change. The melting of Arctic sea ice, which is their primary hunting ground, is the greatest threat to their survival.