A polar bear has a head smaller than other bears. It has rounded ears, black eyes and a black nose. Its neck and body are longer than other bears. But like all bears, it has a short furry tail.

A polar bear is the biggest meat-eating animal on the land part of the earth. The male, or boar, can be three times bigger than the female or sow. When walking on all fours, the males' shoulders are between 1 to 2 metres (4-5 feet) tall. When standing on its hind legs, males can be 3 to 4 metres (10-11 feet) tall. Males weigh as much as 550 kilograms (1200 pounds). Females are around 360 kilograms (800 pounds).

Polar Bears have very large feet that are covered in fur. Each foot has five short but very sharp claws. Polar bears use these claws to grip their food.

Polar bears are great swimmers. They swim from one ice floe to another in search of food. Polar bears have been spotted up to 80 kilometres (50 miles) out to sea. This is probably why their scientific name, Ursus Maritimus means "sea bear."

Polar bears see and hear about as well as humans, but their sense of smell is much better. They can find seals hidden under as much as a metre (3 feet) of snow. They can also smell seals 30 kilometres away.