Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus)

Related Information Ocean Animals Pictures of Bears

The Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus), is considered a marine mammal of the circumpolar north. Their white fur helps camouflage them in their natural environment.

Males can grow up to ten feet tall and weigh more than 1,500 pounds, which ranks them as the largest bears in the world. Females are considerably smaller than males.

Unlike other bears (except for the Panda) polar bears are mainly carnivorous, feeding on seals in their territory.

Exact polar bear population estimates do not exist. Biologists estimate the number to be between twenty and twenty-five thousand individuals, with over half of them living in Canadian territory.

Growing concerns about polar bear populations are being fueled by speculation that global warming could put them at risk by melting the sea ice areas the polar bear calls home.

Recent research on polar bear population levels and sea ice loss by the United States Geological Survey concludes,

"Projected changes in future sea ice conditions, if realized, will result in loss of approximately 2/3 of the world's current polar bear population by the mid 21st century."

In 1995, the Bear Specialist Group with the IUCN placed the polar bear on the vulnerable species list.

After a thorough review of polar bear population dynamics in the context of continued sea ice loss, the United States listed the polar bear as threatened under the terms of the Endangered Species Act.

© 2004-2009 Patricia A. Michaels.