![A Picture of a Polar Bear](https://www.factsjustforkids.com/wp-content/uploads/polar-bear.png)
- Name: Polar Bear
- Binomial Name: Ursus maritimus
- Lifespan: Up to 25 years
- Diet: Carnivorous
- Range: U.S. (Alaska), Canada, Russia, Greenland, and Norway (Svalbard).
- Population: Between 20,000 and 30,000 (estimate)
- Conservation Status: Vulnerable
18 Polar Bear Facts for Kids
- A polar bear is a member of the Ursus genus.
- The polar bear’s binomial name is Ursus maritimus.
- Polar bears can be found in the U.S. (Alaska), Canada, Russia, Greenland, and Norway (Svalbard).
- Polar bears are hypercarnivorous and the most carnivorous member of the Ursus genus.
- Because polar bears spend most of their life in the water, they’re considered a marine mammal.
- The diet of a polar bear mostly consists of ringed seals and bearded seals.
- Polar bears are still-hunters, they lie and wait for their prey, sometimes for many hours.
- A polar bear can live up to 25 years, with wild bears reaching a record of 32 years and some in captivity reaching 43 years of age.
- Polar bears are sexually dimorphic, males are large than females.
- A male polar bear can reach a weight between 772 and 1,543 pounds.
- A female polar bear can reach a weight between 386 and 772 pounds.
- An adult polar bear has 42 teeth.
- A female polar bear is called a sow.
- A young polar bear is called a cub.
- A polar bear can swim up to six miles per hour.
- A polar bear can smell its prey up to one mile away.
- A female polar bear was recorded swimming for 9 days straight. She swam over 1,100 miles and lost around 22% of her entire body mass.
- The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists polar bears as vulnerable.
Polar Bear Pictures
![A photo of a polar bear (Ursus Maritimus).](https://www.factsjustforkids.com/wp-content/uploads/polar-bear-ursus-maritimus.png)
A photo of a polar bear (Ursus Maritimus).Credit: WWF-Canon / Sindre Kinnerød
![A photo of a polar bear and a young cub.](https://www.factsjustforkids.com/wp-content/uploads/a-polar-bear-and-a-cub.png)
A photo of a polar bear and a young cub.Credit: John Rollins
![A photo of two polar bears fighting.](https://www.factsjustforkids.com/wp-content/uploads/two-male-polar-bears-fighting.png)
A photo of two polar bears fighting.Credit: National Geographic Video
Additional Resources on Polar Bears
- Polar Bear – The National Wildlife Federation – Explore polar bears more in depth on the National Wildlife Federation website.
- Polar Bear – World Wild Life – Learn more about polar bears on the World Wild Life website.
- Polar Bear – Wikipedia – Discover more awesome facts about polar bears on the Wikipedia website.