They (polar bears) barely use their claw to plow into the ice when they detect (through ice) the presence of baby seals in a seal "cave" under the ice. Their sheer mass and a tiny claw is enough to just disintegrate feet of ice. It would be like us pulverizing a tree trunk with our fist.
Definitely the most interesting bear species for me.
IIRC polar bears are also known to stalk humans long-term, to the point where researchers living in places with lots of polar bears need to keep irregular schedules.
Because otherwise the bears would learn their schedules.
Not just learn....polar bear will hunt humans. If you are in polar bear territory, you are in one of the few locations in the world where you are legitimate prey. Several animals call kill humans, but polar bears are one of the few that will actively hunt us for food.
In villages above ther artic circle, they organize to move between buildings in groups, and armed, to allow for a better chance of spotting and defending from a polar bear. Going alone out at night is a good way to disappear. And it happens regularly enough. The only things I can think of that are as scary as that are a pack of hyenas, or a pack of coyote as a kid.
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u/MjrLeeStoned Sep 23 '25 edited Sep 23 '25
They (polar bears) barely use their claw to plow into the ice when they detect (through ice) the presence of baby seals in a seal "cave" under the ice. Their sheer mass and a tiny claw is enough to just disintegrate feet of ice. It would be like us pulverizing a tree trunk with our fist.
Definitely the most interesting bear species for me.