Polar bears can live up to 32 years but most probably do not live past 25 years in the wild. Polar bears can be found in Greenland, Norway, Russia, Canada, and in north and northwest Alaska. Polar bears travel on sea ice which expands and shrinks during annual cycles. In the winter, they will travel as far south as St. Lawrence Island or even St. Matthew Island. During summer months, they are more commonly found near the edge of the ice in the Beaufort Sea and the Chukchi Sea.
Ringed seals are a favorite food of polar bears.
They capture the seals by waiting by breathing holes and at the edges of leads and cracks in the ice. Bears may also stalk seals resting on the top of the ice and catch young seals by breaking into pupping chambers in the spring. Polar bears also hunt bearded seals, walrus and beluga whales. They will feed on carrion also, including whale, walrus and seal carcasses found along the coast.