Polar bears are truly remarkable creatures, with unique adaptations that allow them to thrive in the harsh Arctic environment.

From their thick layers of blubber to their massive paws, these animals are built for survival in one of the world's most extreme climates.

To celebrate Polar Bear Week, we’re excited to share 10 of our favorite facts about what makes polar bears so fascinating!

1. Polar Bears Call the Sea Ice Home

Polar bears depend on the Arctic sea ice for their survival, using it as a platform for hunting seals, breeding, roaming, and sometimes even denning. However, this vital habitat is rapidly disappearing due to climate change. Polar bears are found across the circumpolar Arctic, in five polar bear nations: Canada, the United States, Rusia, Norway, and Greenland.

2. Polar Bears Are Massive

As the largest of the eight bear species, polar bears are truly giant creatures. Mature males typically weigh between 350 and 600 kilograms (775 to 1,300 pounds), while mature females are smaller, ranging from 150 to 290 kilograms (330 to 650 pounds). When on all fours, they stand at 1 to 1.5 meters (3.3 to 5 feet) tall at the shoulder. When standing upright, mature males can reach up to 3 meters (10 feet)!

3. Polar Bears Are Impressive Travelers

Polar bears are among the most mobile land mammals, capable of traveling more than 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles) in a single month. Their home ranges can exceed 600,000 square kilometers, which is larger than California or the entire Yukon. Thanks to satellite tracking, you can follow these incredible journeys via our Bear Tracker map.

4. Polar Bear Cubs Are Born in Hidden Snow Dens

During the fall, pregnant female polar bears dig dens under the snow where they give birth to their cubs and nurse them through the harsh winter months. The dens are carefully concealed by snow, making them almost impossible to detect. The mother and cubs remain hidden until spring, when they emerge to head for the sea ice, and the mother starts hunting again—sometimes after months of fasting.

5. Polar Bear Cubs Grow Rapidly

At birth, polar bear cubs weigh only around 500 grams (1-1.5 pounds), but they grow incredibly fast, gaining more than 20 times their body weight in just a few months. By the time they venture out to the sea ice in early spring, the cubs weigh between 11-14 kilograms (25-30 pounds). The mother’s rich, fatty milk—about 31% provides the necessary calories for rapid growth.

6. Polar Bear Paws Have Non-Slip Treads

Polar bears are built for life in the Arctic, and their large paws are an essential tool for survival. Their paws can be up to 30 centimeters (11.8 inches) wide, with tufts of fur between their toes and foot-pads for warmth. The black foot-pads are covered in small, soft bumps called papillae, which provide traction and prevent slipping on the ice.

7. Polar Bear Fur Isn’t Actually White

Though polar bear fur appears white, it’s actually transparent. Each hair shaft is hollow and pigment-free, which scatters and reflects visible light, giving them their white appearance. Polar bears have two layers of fur to insulate them from the extreme cold, and their thick fur keeps them so warm that mature males can overheat quickly during exertion.

8. Polar Bears Can Eat Massive Amounts of Blubber

Polar bears are true carnivores, and their main source of energy comes from marine or blubber. They can consume up to 45 kilograms (100 pounds) of blubber in a single meal! This fatty diet helps them build up body fatty, which sustains them during periods of fasting when seals are scarce.

9. Polar Bears Are at the Top of the Arctic Food Chain

Polar bears sit at the apex of the Arctic food web, but they still depend on the entire ecosystem for survival. Around 86% of the carbon in a polar bear’s body comes from marine algae that grows on the sea ice.

10. The Situation Is Urgent, but Hope Remains

While the situation for polar bears and the Arctic is dire, there’s still hope for their future—if we act quickly. Immediate action to reduce carbon emissions can help slow the melting of sea ice, giving polar bears a fighting chance.

12 Polar Bear Facts That Will Blow Your Mind

Video by Polar Guidebook