Reference image

Alan Wilson · Original image & credits · CC BY-SA 3.0

Image is cropped for display. View uncropped original

MAMMALS

Polar bear

Meet polar bear—one more extraordinary life to discover.

Discover the expedition atlas

A CLOSER LOOK

A reference overview

The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is a large bear native to the Arctic and nearby areas. It is closely related to the brown bear, and the two species can interbreed. The polar bear is the largest extant species of bear and land carnivore by body mass, with adult males weighing 300–800 kg (660–1,760 lb).

Overview excerpt from Wikipedia contributors · Polar bear, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Excerpt may be shortened. Overview retrieved 2026-10-09.

KNOW WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT

The evidence behind this discovery

Source-linked

This overview is attributed to Wikipedia contributors and was retrieved on 2026-10-09. Retrieval is not independent scientific review.

Reference media

The picture has a linked creator and license. Extinct-animal images may show a fossil, specimen or reconstruction; a reconstruction is not a photograph of the living animal.

Scope and uncertainty

Map points represent selected regions, not complete ranges or live sightings. References and identifications can change. A linked source is not an expert certification.

Read our evidence and editorial approach →

LET ONE QUESTION OPEN ANOTHER

Where will this discovery take you?

Another discovery in Canada

Bald eagle ↗

Compare two selected regional records, rather than assuming identical habitats.

Another mammals discovery

African bush elephant ↗

Notice similarities, then follow the sources to explore the differences.

FOLLOW A QUESTION

What can a picture tell you? ↗

Use the visual clues to narrow a collection, then compare animals and check their references.

Follow a discovery guide ↗

Saved on this browser.

Return to your museum collection

Polar bear

A reference overview

The evidence behind this discovery

Where will this discovery take you?

Bald eagle ↗

African bush elephant ↗

What can a picture tell you? ↗

More mammals to discover

African bush elephant

Asian elephant

Lion

Bengal tiger

Leopard

Cheetah