# Polar (DD-119)

> Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are strong swimmers and are classed as marine mammals because they spend much of their lives on sea ice and in the sea. Their name means 'maritime bear'. They hunt mainly seals from the ice and can swim long distances between floes, paddling with their large front paws. As sea ice shrinks, some bears have been tracked making very long swims. The footage shows polar bears on ice and in water, with the presenter.

- Department: Nature
- First published: 2023-12-13
- Last updated: 2023-12-13
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/polar/
- Original Reel title: Polar 🐻‍❄
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-119-F01**: Polar bears are classed as marine mammals. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Marine mammals))_
- **DD-119-F02**: Ursus maritimus means 'maritime bear'. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Sea bear))_

## Write-up

Polar bears are classified as marine mammals. Their scientific name means 'sea bear'.

1. **Marine mammals**: Polar bears are classed as marine mammals.
2. **Sea bear**: Ursus maritimus means 'maritime bear'.
3. **Seal hunters**: They hunt mainly seals from the ice.
4. **Front paws**: They paddle with their large front paws.
5. **Long swims**: They can swim long distances between ice floes.

## Related case files

- [Iceberg Blue (DD-299)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/iceberg-blue/): I linked more from the polar ice
- [Earth's Harshest Biome (DD-212)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/earths-harshest-biome/): I linked more about frozen places

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

## Video: Polar: Polar Bears Are Classified as Marine Mammals

- Duration: 18.3 s · Published: 2023-12-13
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C0zJX2KOTm6.mp4

### Transcript

Polar Bears are excellent swimmers and can swim for long distances in search of food. DID YOU KNOW? The polar bears' ability to cover extensive distances in water showcases their remarkable adaptation to the Arctic environment. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: How are polar bears classified?**  
A: They live on sea ice. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Marine mammals) · Wikipedia: Polar bear)_

**Q: What does Ursus maritimus mean?**  
A: Sea bear. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Sea bear) · Wikipedia: Polar bear)_

**Q: What do they mainly hunt?**  
A: From the ice. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Seal hunters) · Wikipedia: Polar bear)_

**Q: How do they swim?**  
A: Big front paws. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Front paws) · Wikipedia: Polar bear)_

**Q: Why do they swim long distances?**  
A: Between patches of ice. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Long swims) · Wikipedia: Polar bear)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Polar bear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polar_bear)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Polar." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-119, last updated Dec 13, 2023. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/polar/