Habitat
Sea iceCoastal tundraBarrier islands
Diet
- Primarily seals
- Carrion/opportunistic foods when available
Bear Species
Polar Bear
Ursus maritimus — Sea-ice specialist of the Arctic coast.
In the U.S., polar bears occur in Alaska and are largely dependent on sea ice for hunting; sea-ice decline is a central threat.
Circumpolar Arctic species; U.S. range is Alaska, with life history closely tied to sea ice.
Where:
Alaska (Arctic coast)
Zoom to: North Slope • Chukchi Sea
Size & life history
Lifespan (wild): Varies; strongly influenced by sea-ice conditions and food availability.
Conservation
Status: Threatened (U.S. ESA); Vulnerable (IUCN Red List)
- Largely dependent on sea ice; reduced ice can limit hunting opportunities.
- U.S. agencies manage conservation with an emphasis on habitat change and coexistence planning.
Fun facts
- Built for swimming; large paws help as paddles.
- Often travels with the seasonal ice edge.
Map
MAP
Polar Bear — hotspots & sightings
Starts centered on this bear’s primary region. Use chips to jump around.