Animal Facts - Polar Bear
Polar Bear Appearance
The Polar Bear is the largest of the bear species.
Males are about 2.6 metres (8.5 feet) from head to tail. Females are about 2 metres (6.5 feet).
Males weigh about 408 kilos (900 lbs) and females about 226 kilos (500 lbs).
A male Polar Bear standing on its back legs may be 3 metres (10 feet) tall.
Polar Bears have large bodies and long necks.
Their ears are small, round and close to their head.
They have powerful heads and strong teeth.
Their fur is off-white, so they blend in with the ice and snow around them.
They have black eyes, nose and mouth and black skin under their fur.
Their front paws are large and slightly webbed for swimming.
None of the other bear species have front paws like this.
All four paws have thick, padded soles and the skin underneath is hairy and rough.
The hair keeps their feet warm and the roughness stops them slipping when they run on the ice.
Their claws are black and sharp.