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Polar Bear Mother With Cub
Photograph by Norbert Rosing
Dutiful mothers, female polar bears usually give birth to twin cubs, which stay with her for more than two years until they can hunt and survive on their own.
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Polar Bear Sleeps Soundly
Photograph by Flip Nicklin
A sleeping polar bear looks adorable, but beware! With no natural enemies, polar bears are at the top of the Arctic food chain. They are fearless, and will readily attack humans.
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Polar Bear Cub Resting With Its Mother
Photograph by Flip Nicklin
In winter, female polar bears give birth to two cubs in an igloo-like den, which insulates the mother and babies against the brutal winds and frigid Arctic temperatures outside.
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Close-Up of Polar Bear Paws
Photograph by Flip Nicklin
Polar bear paws have thick fur and sharp claws. The fur gives them better traction on ice, while the claws are excellent weapons for hunting.
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Wet Polar Bear
Photograph by Paul Nicklen
With their slightly webbed paws and powerful muscles, polar bears are excellent swimmers. Their favorite meal is seals, but they will eat anything they can catch, even scavenging through garbage in areas where their habitat overlaps with humans.
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