Polar bears are masters of survival in one of the harshest places on Earth. Their primary food source is seal blubber, rich in calories and vital for life on the ice. Polar Bears wait at holes or along the ice edge. Using a remarkable sense of smell, they know when a seal is about to surface. When a seal appears, the bear lunges with lightning speed, hauling it onto the ice. Sea ice is returning later each year due to climate change, leaving polar bears stranded on land for longer periods. With fewer chances to hunt, some scavenge whale carcasses, raid bird nests, or search for garbage. In Hudson Bay, starving bears are spending more time near communities, leading to a surge in human–bear conflicts. It’s critical to understand how climate change is reshaping Arctic life, often far from human eyes. But climate change isn’t the only threat — stay tuned Tuesday for a new essay from paulnicklen about the little-known polar bear fur trade. Photos by mitty #OceanSchool #PolarBear #Arc...