Can Polar Bears Swim?

Yes, polar bears are exceptional swimmers! They are classified as marine mammals and can swim for days at a time across vast stretches of Arctic Ocean.

Swimming Abilities

Speed

• Cruise speed: 6 mph (10 km/h)
• Sprint speed: Up to 10 mph
• Can maintain steady pace for hours

Distance

• Average swim: 30-40 miles
• Longest recorded: 426 miles (687 km) in 9 days
• Regular swims of 100+ miles documented

Duration

• Can swim continuously for days
• Have been tracked swimming for 9+ days straight
• No other bear species comes close

How Polar Bears Swim

Body Adaptations

1. Large paws: Act like paddles (up to 12 inches wide)
2. Slightly webbed toes: Increase surface area
3. Long neck: Keeps head above water
4. Thick fat layer: Provides buoyancy and insulation
5. Waterproof fur: Outer layer repels water

Swimming Technique

• Use front paws as paddles
• Hind legs trail behind as rudders
• Can close nostrils underwater
• Often swim with heads above water

Why Polar Bears Swim

Hunting

• Swim between ice floes to hunt seals
• Cross open water to reach hunting grounds
• Ambush seals from the water

Travel

• Move between different areas of sea ice
• Follow seasonal ice patterns
• Reach isolated ice patches

Climate Change Impact

With melting sea ice, polar bears are:

• Swimming longer distances
• Expending more energy
• At greater risk during storms
• Facing higher mortality rates

Record-Breaking Swims

Risks of Long-Distance Swimming

While polar bears are excellent swimmers, long swims are dangerous:

• Energy depletion: Burns massive calories
• Hypothermia: Even with insulation
• Drowning: Especially in storms
• Cub mortality: Young cubs often don't survive
• Exhaustion: Can lead to death

Conservation Concern

Climate change is forcing polar bears to swim more:

• Ice-free periods are longer
• Distance between ice floes is increasing
• More energy spent swimming = less for hunting
• This is a major threat to polar bear survival