Which bear species is classified as a marine mammal?

Which bear species is classified as a marine mammal? The polar bear is classified as a marine mammal.

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) depend heavily on Arctic sea ice and marine ecosystems for survival. Their principal prey is the ringed seal, which they hunt near breathing holes and the edges of sea ice. Although polar bears spend time on land and are capable swimmers, their food supply and seasonal movements are closely tied to the ocean.

The label does not mean polar bears are fully aquatic like whales. Marine mammals include animals with varying degrees of dependence on the sea; polar bears are mostly terrestrial but are considered marine mammals because they rely on marine habitats and prey. Their large, slightly webbed paws, thick insulating fat layer, and streamlined body help them swim between ice floes.

A common mix-up is assuming that every bear living near water qualifies. Brown bears, spectacled bears, giant pandas, and other bear species are terrestrial mammals. The polar bear is the only living bear species generally recognized as a marine mammal.