Polar bear vs

Ursus maritimus compared with Trichia contorta

Key Differences

Polar bear is Vulnerable while is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Polar bear
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Protozoa (protozoa)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Mycetozoa
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Myxomycetes (Myxomycetes)
Order	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Trichiales (Trichiales)
Family	Ursidae (Bears)	Trichiaceae
Genus	Ursus (Bears)	Trichia
Species	Ursus maritimus	Trichia contorta

Conservation Status

Polar bear

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~26.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Polar bear
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.

Habitat

Native to Europe and North America and South America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Widely distributed across Europe (4 countries), North America (United States), and South America (Brazil).

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.

Trichia contorta is a myxomycete producing clusters of small, cylindrical to pear-shaped sporangia on decaying wood, often in early succession on freshly fallen logs. It is distinguished by its twisted elaters, which are hygroscopic coiled threads within the sporangium that assist in spore dispersal. This species is found across temperate and boreal forests of the Northern Hemisphere.