Why sea ice matters to polar bears
Polar bears live where the cold, icy ocean meets the land. They need sea ice to move around and hunt for food.
How they hunt on the ice
- Staying still: Polar bears often wait quietly on the ice near holes where seals come up for air.
- Watching for seals: They look for seals that breathe on the surface or swim near the hole.
- Quick move: When a seal pops up, the polar bear snaps its powerful paws to grab the seal.
- Eating: The seal is taken from the hole or caught on the ice, and the bear eats to gain energy.
What can affect this life?
If the sea ice melts too early or becomes too thin, bears have a harder time finding food. That’s why scientists watch the ice carefully.
Fun fact
Polar bears are excellent swimmers too, but they prefer hunting on ice because it makes catching seals easier.