Polar bear vs rock vole

Ursus maritimus compared with Microtus chrotorrhinus

Key Differences

• Polar bear is Vulnerable while rock vole is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Polar bear	rock vole
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Rodentia (Rodents)
Family	Ursidae (Bears)	Cricetidae
Genus	Ursus (Bears)	Microtus
Species	Ursus maritimus	Microtus chrotorrhinus

Evolutionary Relationship

Polar bear and rock vole share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Mammals)

Conservation Status

Polar bear

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~26.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

rock vole

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Polar bear	rock vole
Diet	Carnivore	—
Average Lifespan	25 years	—
Average Length	2.4 m	—
Average Weight	450.0 kg	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Polar bear

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, temperate coniferous forests, and boreal forests and taiga, among 4 distinct biome types within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Found in Norway. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

rock vole

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found in United States.

Polar bear

The largest land carnivore on Earth, polar bears can exceed 700 kg and are found across Arctic sea ice from Canada to Russia. Highly specialized marine mammals that rely on sea ice to hunt ringed and bearded seals. Excellent swimmers capable of covering vast distances in open water. Listed as Vulnerable, with populations under severe pressure from rapid Arctic sea ice loss due to climate change.