Polar bear (Ursus maritimus)
Kingdom: Animalia Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Ursidae
Listing Status:
General Information
Throughout the Arctic, polar bears are known by a variety of common names, including nanook, nanuq, ice bear, sea bear, isbj<rn, white bears, and eisba¨r. Genetic research has confirmed that polar bears evolved from grizzly (brown) bears (Ursus arctos) 250 to 300 thousand years ago (Cronin et al. 1991, p. 2990; Talbot and Shields 1996a, p. 574). Only in portions of northern Canada and northern Alaska do the ranges of polar bears and grizzly bears overlap. Polar bears are the largest of the living bear species. Polar bears are carnivorous and an upper level predator of the Arctic marine ecosystem. Polar bears prey heavily throughout their range on ringed seals (Phoca hispida) and, to a lesser extent, bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus) and in some locales, other seal species. Polar bears are characterized by a late age at sexual maturity, small litter sizes, and extended parental investment in raising young, factors that combine to contribute to a very low reproductive rate. Reproduction in the female polar bear is similar to that in other ursids (bears). Females generally mature and breed for the first time at 4 or 5 years and give birth at 5 or 6 years of age. Litters of two cubs are most common, but litters of three cubs are seen sporadically across the Arctic.
- States/US Territories in which the Polar bear is known to occur: Alaska
- Countries in which the the Polar bear is known to occur: Canada , Denmark , Norway , Russia
- For more information: http://www.fws.gov/endangered/factsheets/polar_bear.pdf
» Federal Register Documents
| Date | Citation Page | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 12/16/2008 | 73 FR 76249 76269 | Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Special Rule for the Polar Bear |
| 05/15/2008 | 73 FR 28211 28303 | Determination of Threatened Status for the Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) Throughout Its Range; Final Rule |
| 05/15/2008 | 73 FR 28305 28318 | Special Rule for the Polar Bear; Interim Final Rule |
| 12/06/2007 | 72 FR 69033 69106 | Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions; Proposed Rule |
| 10/05/2007 | 72 FR 56979 56980 | 12-Month Petition Finding and Proposed Rule To List the Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) as Threatened Throughout Its Range |
| Date | Citation Page | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 12/16/2008 | 73 FR 76249 76269 | Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Special Rule for the Polar Bear |
| 05/15/2008 | 73 FR 28305 28318 | Special Rule for the Polar Bear; Interim Final Rule |
» Recovery
Recovery Plan Information SearchNo recovery information is available for the Polar bear.
» Critical Habitat
No critical habitat rules have been published for the Polar bear.
» Conservation Plans
No conservation plans have been created for Polar bear
» Petitions
| Date | Citation Page | Title | Finding |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/09/2007 | 72 FR 1063 1099 | 12-Month Petition Finding and Proposed Rule To List the Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) as Threatened Throughout Its Range; Proposed Rule |
» Life History
No Life History information has been entered into this system for this species.
» Other Resources
NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.
ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.
