The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Columbia Encyclopedia World Factbook American Heritage Coll. Polar bears usually live on drifting pack ice, but sometimes wander long distances inland. They are powerful swimmers and may cross 20 to 30 mi of water at a time. The polar bear's body is long and streamlined, with a long neck and small head.
Females are somewhat smaller.
The extremely dense fur is yellowish white all over. Unlike other bears, polar bears have hairy soles, which help them grip the ice. Polar bears are omnivorous, but feed chiefly on marine animals such as seals and young walruses. Quite fearless, they will stalk any animal, including man. They take advantage of carcasses left by hunters, and in summer eat vegetation on the shore.