Polar bears are one of the most incredible creatures in the Arctic, perfectly adapted to the harsh environment. They are the largest land carnivores in the world, but they’re technically classified as marine mammals. Makes sense when watching how at home they are in the water. They can swim great distances between ice floes, using their huge front paws like paddles. The greatest swim ever recorded was 426mi (687km) over 9 consecutive days. The thick layer of fat, between 2-4in (5-10cm), helps keep them buoyant when swimming and also provides insulation against the freezing temperatures.
The shaggy white fur isn’t truly white. Each hair is transparent, with a hollow core that lets light pass through. As light travels through the hair, it scatters and reflects in all directions, giving the fur its white appearance. Beneath the fur lies black skin, which absorbs the sun’s warmth and protects the bear from harmful UV radiation.
Weighing up to 1,760lbs (800kg) and growing up to 10ft (3m), polar bears are surprisingly nimble when needed. Their muscular build and powerful limbs allow them to move quickly and with agility, especially when hunting or navigating their icy environment. They can run up to 25mph (40km/h) in short bursts, which is quite fast for an animal of their size.
With no natural predators in the wild, these beautiful giants reign supreme and are the ultimate Arctic hunters. Their primary prey is seals, which they hunt for their blubber, a necessary energy source to survive the Arctic climate when food is scarce and to provide insulation. Polar bears have an excellent sense of smell, which helps them locate their prey. They often wait patiently by breathing holes in the ice, ready to ambush seals when they surface for air.
The majority of polar bears, around 80%, live in Canada’s northern regions, including the Arctic Archipelago. They are especially concentrated in Churchill, Manitoba, aptly named the "polar bear capital of the world" due to the high number of bears that migrate through the area during the fall. Another key population lives in Svalbard, where, as already mentioned, polar bears outnumber humans.
However, climate change is threatening their survival. As the sea ice melts earlier each year, polar bears must spend more time on land. This extended fasting period is detrimental to their health, as they can't hunt seals to build up the fat stores they need to survive the ice-free months. Female bears are especially affected, as a lack of body fat makes it harder for them to fall pregnant and nurse their cubs.
Polar bear mothers are fiercely protective and nurturing, building dens in snowdrifts where they give birth in winter. Cubs are born tiny, weighing barely a pound (600g) and about 12-14 inches (30-35cm) long. Covered in soft, white fur, newborn cubs are blind and toothless, relying entirely on their mother’s warmth, protection and fat-rich milk. The family stays in the den for several months until the cubs are strong enough to venture outside and begin learning survival skills.
These incredible animals face challenging times ahead, but there is hope through the dedicated work of scientists. Researchers are identifying key habitats, tracking polar bear movements, and monitoring their health. They also observe denning sites to better understand denning behaviour, how mothers and cubs emerge, and their physical condition. All of this research plays a crucial role in shaping strategies that reduce human-bear conflicts, support sustainable practices, and strengthen advocacy for environmental protection.
Next comes the heart of
the Arctic solstice, a place of light and dark extremes.
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