Summer (July - October):
* Focus on seals: Polar bears hunt seals primarily on land, waiting near breathing holes in the ice or ambushing them on shore. They also occasionally scavenge on whale carcasses.
* Opportunistic foraging: They may also eat berries, birds, and other small mammals.
Winter (November - June):
* Ice hunting: This is the most important time for hunting seals. They rely on their excellent sense of smell to detect seals breathing in their lairs beneath the ice. They wait patiently for the seal to emerge and ambush it.
* Denning: Pregnant females hibernate in snow dens during winter, giving birth and nursing their cubs. They don't hunt during this time, relying on their stored fat reserves.
Spring (April - June):
* Mixed hunting: Polar bears continue to hunt seals on the ice, but they also start to venture onto land as the ice melts. They may hunt birds, eggs, and even caribou calves.
Overall, polar bears are opportunistic hunters and will take advantage of any available prey. Their hunting success is heavily influenced by the availability of sea ice, which is their primary hunting platform.