Polar bears are the largest land carnivores on Earth, with males weighing up to 1,500 pounds. They have a thick layer of blubber and water-repellent fur that keeps them warm in Arctic temperatures reaching minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

These powerful swimmers can travel up to 60 miles without rest, using their large paws as paddles. Polar bears primarily hunt seals by waiting at breathing holes in sea ice, relying on their excellent sense of smell to detect prey from nearly a mile away.

Polar bears are found exclusively in the Arctic, across five nations including Canada, Russia, Alaska, Greenland, and Norway. They spend most of their lives on sea ice, which is essential for their survival and hunting patterns.

A polar bear's skin is actually black beneath its white fur, which provides camouflage in snowy environments. Their fur also reflects ultraviolet light, helping them blend seamlessly into their icy habitat.