Scientists believe that Ursus
maritimus, the "sea bear," evolved about 200,000 years ago from brown bear
ancestors.
Polar bears are superbly
adapted for survival in the Far North.
Polar bears are the world's
largest land predators. They top the food chain in the Arctic, where they dine
primarily on seals.
Adult male polar bears weigh from 775 to more than 1,500 pounds.
Females weigh330 to 550 pounds.
Polar bears range throughout the Arctic in areas where they can hunt seals at open leads. The five "polar bear nations" where the ice bears are found include the U. S. (Alaska), Canada, Russia, Denmark (Greenland), and Norway.
