What animals hunt polar bears?

Answer 1

A Polar Bear's common pray is juvenile seals;

However, the rumours of polar bears attacking humans whilst they are on expedition have put thoughts into some people's mind, polar bears will only attack ever attack a human for these reasons;

A) The polar bear feels a threat towards themselves or their offspring.

B) Whilst searching for food, if they see potential "competition" they will vanquish the potential enemy in order to feed their young

I hope this has helped :)

Answer 2

It would not be unreasonable to expect a killer whale to take a polar bear. Polar bears also turn cannibalistic when food is scarce.

Wolves in packs may also attack an elderly or injured Polar bear.

Typically polar bear cubs are more liable to be hunted than full-grown polar bears.

Answer 3

Polar bears prefer to prey on seals. Mainly, it is a seal species called the ringed seal which most often ends up being the polar bear's meal. The also eat any fish that they catch.

Seals create breathing holes under the ice. Polar bears will track down a seal using their powerful sense of smell, to their breathing holes. When the seal emerges from the hole in the ice, the polar bear will try to snatch it.

Polar bears will also use stealth to swim up to seals who are sitting on ice floats and surprise them. Seals are not as fast on land as they are underwater.



Further reading:

• Polar Bears International website

Here is a documentary clip, courtesy of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), showing a polar bear hunting seals.

Answer 4

Seal species are their preferred prey item.

Answer 5

Seals and fish, mostly.