Gallery: Stunning Photos of Polar Bears in the Arctic

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Swimming Polar Bear

polar bears swimming

(Image credit: Paul Nicklen | National Geographic Stock | World Wildlife Fund)

polar bears swimming

(Image credit: Paul Nicklen | National Geographic Stock | World Wildlife Fund)

Two polar bears rest on an ice float.

polar bears swimming

(Image credit: Magnus Andersen | World Wildlife Fund)

Biologists are warning that warmer temperatures from climate change are forcing polar bears to swim longer distances to find stable sea ice.

Polar Bears

polar bears swimming

(Image credit: World Wildlife Fund)

Researchers following a group of adult polar bears wearing GPS collars found a 45 percent mortality rate among the cubs of those who swam 30 miles or more at a time, as compared with an 18 percent mortality rate among the cubs of other polar bears.

polar bears swimming

(Image credit: Sindre Kinnerod | World Wildlife Fund)

According to the University of Washington Polar Science Center, Arctic sea-ice levels have dropped to record lows in July 2011, with sea ice volume now 47 percent lower than it was in 1979, when satellite records began.

polar bears swimming

(Image credit: Eric Regehr | World Wildlife Fund)

Long-distance swimming expends large amounts of energy, putting the polar bears at risk of drowning due to fatigue or rough seas.

A swim?

A polar bear gazes at the open water in the Arctic Ocean. Image taken during an Arctic Research Office-Ocean Exploration cruise in 2003 to the Chukchi Plateau.

(Image credit: Kathy Crane, NOAA Arctic Research Program)

A polar bear gazes at the open water in the Arctic Ocean. Image taken during an Arctic Research Office-Ocean Exploration cruise in 2003 to the Chukchi Plateau.

Biggest bears

polar bear in the arctic ocean

(Image credit: Kathy Crane, NOAA Arctic Research Program)

An adult male polar bear grows usually weighs between 775 to 1,200 pounds (351 to 544 kilograms) and will reach its full adult size between the ages of 8 and 14. Adult females are half the size — 330 to 650 pounds (50 to 295 kg) — and reach full size at around age 5-6 years. This image was taken during an Arctic Research Office-Ocean Exploration cruise in 2003 to the Chukchi Plateau.

Suited for Ice

polar bear in the arctic

(Image credit: Kathy Crane, NOAA Arctic Research Program)

The polar bear is perfectly suited to its frigid, icy habitat: They have two layers of fur — glossy, waterproof 'guard' hairs and dense under-fur — and a thick layer of fat — 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) — beneath their skin that helps keep them warm. They also have small a small tail and ears, which help prevent heat loss.

Standing tall

polar bear in the arctic standing on two legs

(Image credit: Kathy Crane, NOAA Arctic Research Program)

The height of polar bears at their shoulders when they are on all fours is usually between 3.5 to 5 feet (1 to 1.5 meters) for males and females, though when they stand on two legs they look even more formidable.

Remy Melina
Remy Melina was a staff writer for Live Science from 2010 to 2012. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Hofstra University where she graduated with honors.