The document discusses polar bears, describing them as the largest land carnivores and largest bears. It notes that while closely related to brown bears, polar bears have evolved to occupy the Arctic niche, with bodies adapted for cold temperatures and hunting seals. The document also states that polar bears are classified as a vulnerable species, with some populations in decline, though controls on hunting have allowed populations to rebound in recent decades. Polar bears also have long cultural significance for Arctic indigenous peoples.

1. The Cute Polar Bear
By Sam Stokke

2. About polar bears
The polar bear Ursus maritimus is a bear native largely
within the Arctic Circle encompassing the Arctic Ocean, its
surrounding seas and surrounding land masses. It is the
world's largest land carnivore and also the largest bear,
together with the omnivorous Kodiak Bear, which is
approximately the same size. An adult male weighs around
350–680 kg 770–1,500 lb, while an adult female is about
half that size. Although it is closely related to the brown
bear, it has evolved to occupy a narrower ecological niche,
with many body characteristics adapted for cold
temperatures, for moving across snow, ice, and open water,
and for hunting the seals which make up most of its diet.

3. More information
The polar bear is classified as a vulnerable species, with eight
of the nineteen polar bear subpopulations in decline. For
decades, large scale hunting raised international concern for the
future of the species but populations rebounded after controls
and quotas began to take effect. For thousands of years, the
polar bear has been a key figure in the material, spiritual, and
cultural life of Arctic indigenous peoples, and polar bears remain
important in their cultures.

4. Videos and pictures
Here are some videos and pictures of polar
bears.