Polar bears are apex predators in their distribution area - around the North Pole and in the Arctic Sea. ¹⁾

Polar bears are among the largest terrestrial predators. ²⁾

Polar bears are the most carnivorous of all bears. They are also by far the most likely to hunt humans. ³⁾

The main food of polar bears are seals and predominantly ringed seals. Bears kill them with a paw strike. ⁴⁾

It is estimated that polar bears need to hunt between 50 and 75 seals per year to survive. ⁵⁾

Polar bears may feed on carrion, such as the remains of walruses or whales. Between 10 and 20 bears may congregate at a single carcass. ⁶⁾

Polar bears can travel 19 miles per day for several days. ⁷⁾

After birth, female polar bears care for their young for more than 2 years. They do not become pregnant again during this time. ⁸⁾

The polar bear population is estimated at 25,000 individuals. ⁹⁾

The lifespan of polar bears is 15 to 18 years, although they live longer in captivity and the record-holder, Debby bear from the Winnipeg Zoo, lived to the ripe old age of 42. ¹⁰⁾

The hair of polar bears is translucent and their coat is white in color so they can camouflage themselves well in their surroundings. ¹¹⁾

Polar bear skin is black in color so it absorbs sunlight and allows the animal to stay warm. ¹²⁾

Polar bears are excellent swimmers. ¹³⁾

Polar bears are solitary, pairing up briefly during the mating season, which occurs in April and May. ¹⁴⁾

Polar bears can produce fertile crosses with brown bears. This means that the two species are quite closely related to each other. ¹⁵⁾