Bear, Polar

Red gore stains this bear's muzzle, creating a striking contrast against its white fur.

Bear, Polar (CR 5)

Large Animal
Alignment: Neutral
Initiative: +3
Senses: Low-Light Vision, Scent; Perception +8

Speed: 40 feet, Swim 20 feet
Space: 10 feet

Defense

Armor Class: 20, touch 12, flat-footed 17 (+3 Dex, +8 natural, -1 size)
Hit Points: 52 (5d8+30)
Saving Throws: Fort +10, Ref +7, Will +4

Offense

Melee: bite +9 (1d8+7), 2 claws +9 (1d6+7 plus Grab)
Reach: 5 feet

Statistics

Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha
25 (+7)	17 (+3)	23 (+6)	2 (-4)	16 (+3)	10 (+0)

Base Attack Bonus: +3
CMB +11 (+15 Grapple)
CMD 24 (28 vs. Trip)

Feats: Endurance, Run, Skill Focus (Survival)

Skills: Perception +8, Survival +8, Swim +19

• Racial Modifiers: +8 Swim

Languages:

Special Abilities

NONE

Ecology

Environment: Cold Coastlines or Plains
Organization: solitary or pair
Treasure: none


Polar bears swim along frigid coasts and wander icy plains looking for prey. They often eat seals plucked from holes in the ice, but will attack any creature when desperate or provoked. Unlike most animals, polar bears show little fear, and can be dangerous scavengers around arctic settlements. They can easily avoid conflict by plunging into the icy waters, which they often do instead of engaging every threat. A polar bear's blubber gives it buoyancy, and its long neck keeps its head above water. Oversized paws with webbed toes propel it along steadily, and a polar bear can swim over 100 miles in a single day.

Some arctic clans hunt polar bears as a significant source of food, and use the furs and bones for clothes and vital tools. Many of these cultures hold the bears sacred, and honor their deaths with rituals and ceremonies. Polar bears live, on average, 15-20 years, but arctic peoples have known individual bears that lived as long as 40 years.

One of the largest animal predators to stalk the ice, an adult male polar bear can weigh 800 to 1,200 pounds, with females weighing 350 to 650 pounds.