It’s easy to see why polar bears are recognized by humans all around the world. With their seemingly white fur, black snout and eyes, they have the most distinctive look of all the bear species.
They are also the largest species of bear and the biggest land carnivore on earth. Polar bears are classifies as aquatic mammals with many names. Indigenous people all around the arctic circle have different names for this revered species. The scientific given name is Ursus Maritimus, which translates to “sea bear”. Later, they acquired the name “polar bear” from explorers and scientists alike, being found only in regions of the North pole.
It is believed that the species diverted from brown bears nearly half a million years ago, when they started traveling north searching for larger hunting grounds.
Seals keep their breathing holes open all winter long, even in ice up to 2 m (6 ft) thick. They surface about every 5 to 15 minutes at one of the holes or use air pockets trapped under the ice when available.
Polar bears catch seals waiting for them to breathe at the ice openings. They must be patient and smart as the wait can be long before a seal actually reaches these holes. The polar bears’ favorite prey are the ringed and the bearded seals and they will wait by the holes and pounce on the animal before it can escape.
Polar bears have 2 layers of fur that prevent almost all heat loss. Polar bears can actually overheat if chasing prey for too long.
The biggest misconception about polar bears is that people think their fur is white, However, that’s just not true. Each hair shaft is pigment-free and transparent which allows light to reflect off each hair, making it appear white.
In the water.
Their fat layers allow them to stay warm in the water, even when they swim for hours on end. However, this is not true for the cubs, as they have not yet built up enough fat on their bodies so polar bear moms try to keep them out of the water as much as possible in their first year. By year 2, they are stronger and can follow their mom for longer period in the water.
Ursus Maritimus
22,000 globally
Threatened
Arctic region, including Canada, US, Russia and Norway. The arctic sea and coastal lands.
Climate change
A community garden is a wonderful way to bring people together while growing fresh, healthy food. Kids can ask their school, local library, or community center if there’s space to start a garden, then invite neighbors and classmates to help plant, water, and harvest vegetables or flowers. Some gardens even donate their extra produce to food banks or share it with neighbors who need it. It’s a hands-on way to learn about nature, teamwork, and taking care of your community’s shared spaces.
Wildlife centers take care of injured or orphaned animals, and they always need extra support to keep helping. Kids can host a bake sale, lemonade stand, or online fundraiser, or organize a “walk-a-thon” with friends and family to raise money for a wildlife rescue near them. You could also collect donated supplies the center needs, like towels, blankets, or pet food. Even a small donation can help feed, shelter, or heal an animal in need.
Recycling projects let kids turn everyday trash into something useful — or at least keep it out of landfills! You could start a recycling bin program at your school, organize a can and bottle drive to raise money for charity, or get creative and turn old materials into art, planters, or bird feeders. You might even research your town’s recycling rules and make a poster or flyer to help neighbors recycle correctly. Small habits, like rinsing containers or separating paper from plastic, add up to a big impact when a whole community joins in.
Setting up a booth at your local farmers market is a great way to get your whole neighborhood excited about helping the planet. You could raise money for a cause you care about — like a wildlife shelter, a tree-planting group, or a beach cleanup fund — by selling homemade crafts, lemonade, or baked goods. You could also use your booth to teach people about recycling, showing them fun facts or simple tips for sorting their trash the right way. It’s a great way to practice public speaking, teamwork, and making a real difference in your community.
Every year on the third Saturday of September, people around the world celebrate International Coastal Cleanup Day, and you can sign up with local groups in your community to join thousands of other volunteers picking up trash along the shore. But you don’t have to wait for that one day — cleanups can happen any time! Grab some gloves, trash bags, and a few friends, and organize your own cleanup day at a nearby river, stream, lake, or beach. It’s a fun way to hang out with friends while protecting fish, turtles, and birds from plastic and litter. Nationalcleanupday.
Planting trees is one of the easiest ways kids can help fight climate change and give animals a home. You can join organizations like SAFE Worldwide, One Tree Planted, or the Arbor Day Foundation, which often have kid-friendly volunteer days and even let you sponsor a tree from home. Or, team up with your family, neighbors, or scout troop to start your own mini tree-planting project in a local park, schoolyard, or empty lot (just ask permission first!). Every tree you plant helps clean the air, cool the planet, and grow into a home for birds and squirrels for years to come.