The polar bear is a large bear species found in the ice fields of the Arctic Ocean. It is the largest species of bear in the world (with the exception of the Kodiak Brown Bears in Alaska, which can reach similar sizes), with males often weighing about 600 kg. Although closely related to the brown bear, its original name actually means sea bear, as it is known that they not only spend a lot of time near the coast, but are also strong and capable swimmers, sighted up to 100 miles from the nearest ice or land.