Quick answer
Most polar bears live around ~25 years in the wild, though predation, disease, habitat quality, and (for pets) veterinary care shift individual outcomes.
Key takeaway
Most polar bears live around ~25 years in the wild, though predation, disease, habitat quality, and (for pets) veterinary care shift individual outcomes.
Typical lifespan
Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) typically live around ~25 years in the wild. Published averages mix wild and managed populations, so treat any single number as a planning range rather than a guarantee.
What shortens life
In the wild, polar bear mortality is driven by predation, competition, infectious disease, injury, and habitat loss. Food shortages and human conflict also cut average lifespan in many regions.
What supports longer life
Stable habitat, low chronic stress, and adequate nutrition support longevity. Where polar bears live alongside people, responsible management and veterinary care (for domestic or captive animals) matter as much as genetics.
Life stages
Juveniles face higher mortality than healthy adults. Seniors show slower movement, dental wear, and reduced body condition — useful field signs when comparing age classes.
How this compares
Body size and ecology shape longevity: larger mammals often live longer than small ones, but high-risk lifestyles (open hunting, migration) can reverse that pattern. Always compare like-with-like populations.
Built for the Arctic
Polar bears are superbly adapted to extreme cold, with a thick layer of fat, dense insulating fur, and large paws that spread their weight on thin ice and act as paddles when swimming. Their fur appears white but is actually translucent, and their skin underneath is black.
Hunting on the ice
Polar bears mainly hunt ringed and bearded seals, waiting patiently beside breathing holes in the sea ice. The fat-rich seal blubber provides the energy they need to survive, which is why access to sea ice is essential to their survival.
Marine mammals
Although they live and travel on land and ice, polar bears are classified as marine mammals because they depend on the ocean for food. They are powerful long-distance swimmers, capable of crossing many kilometers of open water.
Conservation
Polar bears are Vulnerable and have become a global symbol of climate change. As the Arctic warms and sea ice forms later and melts earlier, bears have less time to hunt seals, leading to poorer body condition and lower cub survival.
Research notes
Figures for polar bears (Ursus maritimus) come from field studies, museum records, and conservation assessments that do not always agree on exact averages. Prefer ranges over single-point claims, and check whether a source describes wild, captive, or mixed populations.
Practical takeaways
If you encounter polar bears in the wild, prioritise distance and local guidance. If you care for related domestic or captive animals, match diet and housing to species needs rather than generic pet advice. Share accurate status information (Vulnerable) when discussing conservation.
Sources
FAQs
How Long Do Polar Bears Live?
Most polar bears live around ~25 years in the wild, though predation, disease, habitat quality, and (for pets) veterinary care shift individual outcomes.
What is the scientific name of the polar bear?
Ursus maritimus
What do polar bears eat?
Carnivore (mainly seals)
Where do polar bears live?
Arctic sea ice and coasts
Are polar bears endangered?
Listed here as Vulnerable. Check IUCN and national lists for the latest assessment.