Polar bears are solitary predators that rely on their keen sense of smell and exceptional stealth to hunt. They primarily target seals, but they have also been known to hunt beluga whales, walruses, and other marine mammals.
Stalking:
Polar bears often stalk their prey by lying low on the ice and blending in with the surroundings. They use their excellent camouflage and patience to get close enough to make a successful attack.
Sealing:
One common hunting technique employed by polar bears is called "sealing." They patiently wait near breathing holes or cracks in the ice where seals come up to breathe or rest. When a seal surfaces, the polar bear pounces and drags it onto the ice.
Crushing and biting:
Once the seal is on the ice, the polar bear uses its powerful jaws and sharp teeth to crush the seal's skull or bite through its neck, causing severe injuries or instant death.
Scavenging:
Polar bears are opportunistic hunters and will also scavenge on carcasses left behind by other predators or from natural causes. They have been known to feed on whale carcasses, seal pups, and even polar bear cubs that have not survived.
Summer hunting:
During the summer months when the sea ice melts and seals are harder to find, polar bears may have to rely on alternative food sources. They may hunt on land for reindeer, musk oxen, or scavenge on carcasses left by other predators.