Quick answer
Polar Bears feed on mainly seals, adjusting with season, age, and what is abundant in Arctic sea ice and coasts. That label is a preferred pattern, not every item an individual might sample.
Key takeaway
Polar Bears feed on mainly seals, adjusting with season, age, and what is abundant in Arctic sea ice and coasts. That label is a preferred pattern, not every item an individual might sample.
Polar Bear diet overview
Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) are best summarised as Carnivore (mainly seals). Anatomy and habitat (Arctic sea ice and coasts) decide whether they hunt, graze, filter, scavenge, or mix strategies across the year.
How polar bears find food
Energy-rich foods are prioritised when available; lean seasons force broader diets or longer travel. Young animals may eat different items or receive food from parents.
Polar Bear role in the food web
As predators or scavengers, polar bears move nutrients and influence prey or vegetation.
Feeding and human conflict
Never feed wild polar bears. Habituation raises injury risk and can lead to lethal management. Captive diets must match species needs, not generic pet food rules.
Built for the Arctic
Polar bears are superbly adapted to extreme cold, with a thick layer of fat, dense insulating fur, and large paws that spread their weight on thin ice and act as paddles when swimming. Their fur appears white but is actually translucent, and their skin underneath is black.
Hunting on the ice
Polar bears mainly hunt ringed and bearded seals, waiting patiently beside breathing holes in the sea ice. The fat-rich seal blubber provides the energy they need to survive, which is why access to sea ice is essential to their survival.
Sources
Polar Bear FAQs
What do polar bears eat?
Polar Bears feed on mainly seals, adjusting with season, age, and what is abundant in Arctic sea ice and coasts. That label is a preferred pattern, not every item an individual might sample.
What is the scientific name of the polar bear?
Ursus maritimus — used in research and conservation listings for polar bears.
Where do polar bears live?
They are associated with Arctic sea ice and coasts. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of polar bears?
Listed in our guides as Vulnerable. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.