The polar bear is the largest land carnivore on Earth, a true icon of the Arctic wilderness. Weighing up to 1,500 pounds (700 kg) and standing up to 10 feet (3 meters) tall on their hind legs, these bears are formidable predators. Their thick white fur, which provides excellent camouflage against the snow and ice, and a dense layer of fat help them survive in some of the harshest conditions on the planet.
Polar bears primarily hunt seals, which they catch by waiting patiently at breathing holes in the ice or breaking through ice to reach their prey. They are also excellent swimmers, capable of covering vast distances in the open ocean to find food or reach ice floes. In fact, their Latin name, Ursus maritimus, means "sea bear."
However, polar bears are under significant threat due to climate change. Melting sea ice reduces their hunting grounds, forcing them to travel longer distances and expend more energy to find food. Conservation efforts focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting polar bear habitats, and minimizing human-polar bear conflicts in Arctic communities.