MAMMALIA: CARNIVORA: URSIDAE: Ursus

Ursus maritimus

Polar bear

Photos & text by Dr. Robert Sprackland.

This page dedicated to Andrew Sherbo

Range: Sea ice and coasts of North America, Europe, Asia and the North Polar regions.

Diagnosis: A large white bear with a short snout, small ears, and a comparatively long neck.

Description: A large species that may grow to 260 cm total length and weigh up to 800 kg (1700 lbs.). Fur white, cream, or dull yellowish, with thick fur covering entirety of limbs. Tail and ears small. 

Natural History: Prefers living on pack ice, where it hunts on its principle prey item, ringed seals (Phoca hispida). They also take sea birds and the rare reindeer, and attacks on humans are known. Population densities are reportedly very low, ranging from one bear per 37 sq. km to one per 139 sq. km.  

Eyes closed and nonchalant, this polar bear is taking a leisurely late afternoon swim.

Reproduction: Females produce one to 4 young after 195-265 day of gestation. They reproduce in alternate years. Sexual maturity occurs in the the year or later.

Taxonomy & Relationships:

Variation: Relatively little. Variation in coat color may be due to bacterial colonies in the fur. Yellowing of fur in zoo animals is usually a result of chlorinated water.

Additional Comments:

Type Specimen:

 Literature: Click on book to order

 Nowak, Ronald. 1991. Walker's Mammals of the World, Fifth Edition. Two volumes. Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN: 0-8018-3970-X.