The polar bear (ursus maritimus) is native to the Arctic Circle. Adult males weigh up to 770-1540 lbs with females weighing about half that much. It is the sister species of the brown bear but has adapted for a much narrower ecological niche, with many body characteristics adapted for cold temperatures, moving across snow, ice, and water. Although born on land, they spend much of their time at sea. They hunt seals from sea ice, which make up the bulk of their diet. When no sea ice is present, the polar bear can live off their own fat reserves. They are classified as Vulnerable, with eight of the nineteen subpopulations in decline, due to pollution, hunting, and climate change, #polarbears #bears #ursusmaritimus #endangered