Prey:
* Seals: The primary prey for polar bears are seals, primarily ringed seals. They hunt seals by waiting near breathing holes in the ice or by ambushing them on land.
* Walruses: Polar bears occasionally prey on walruses, especially young or sick individuals.
* Caribou: Polar bears will sometimes hunt caribou, particularly calves, especially when other prey is scarce.
* Birds: Polar bears will eat eggs and nestlings of birds like geese and eiders.
* Fish: Polar bears may catch fish in shallow water or near the edge of the ice.
Other Interactions:
* Arctic Foxes: Polar bears often steal prey from arctic foxes, leading to competition. They may even directly kill foxes.
* Wolves: Polar bears and wolves rarely interact directly. However, they may compete for prey in areas where their ranges overlap.
* Other Polar Bears: Polar bears are solitary animals, but males may fight over females or territory.
* Humans: Human activity, such as hunting, oil and gas exploration, and climate change, significantly impacts polar bear populations and their environment.
Symbiotic Relationships:
* Arctic Foxes: Polar bears and arctic foxes sometimes engage in a form of commensalism, where the fox benefits by scavenging from polar bear kills without harming the bear.
It's important to note that polar bears play a critical role in regulating the balance of the Arctic ecosystem. Their interactions with other organisms help to maintain the health and diversity of the region.