Polar bears are the largest bears in the world, and call the arctic home. They weigh roughly 800-1,300 pounds, and have a thick layer of body fat and fur to protect them from the cold. Their diet consists primarily of seals, and they rely on the sea ice in their environment for hunting, traveling, mating, and resting.
Polar bears are listed as vulnerable on the WWF website. As arctic creatures, these bears feel the effects of melting sea ice and climate change directly. Some scientists predict that by 2040, only a fraction of sea ice will remain. Additionally, polar bears face a variety of threats posed by humans, from commercial hunting to industrial activity.
