Polar Bear hunts Beluga Whales!

Polar bears use different tactics in the pursuit of beluga whales. Adult beluga whales often exceed four meters in length. Their white flesh is adorned with scars. Many of these are from confrontations with polar bears. Polar bears live in and close to the Arctic. These barren landscapes have given rise to this obligate carnivore which eats whenever an opportunity presents itself. They will pursue adult belugas as well as their calves which are darker in color. The first method used by the polar bear exploits the beluga whales need to breathe. These gentle charismatic cetaceans must come up to the surface to breathe. During the winter belugas commonly become trapped under the ice near land without being able to escape to open water which may be several kilometers away. They stay close to gaps in the ice so as not to drown. Polar bears take advantage of this and use their sense of smell to locate the beluga whales. The bears stay close to the gaps in the ice. A dive normally lasts up to five minutes but can last up to over 20 minutes if needs be. The presence of polar bears is a good enough reason. When the belugas eventually come up to breathe the bears swipe at the belugas and even dive into the water attempting to incapacitate them before beluga whale earns a new painful scar. Something to remember the polar bear by. A second method that they use is more opportunistic. It's also much more desperate. The polar bear dives in after a passing beluga whale. The cetacean, this time unhindered by the ice, can easily out swim the bear. The polar bear is left hungry and even more frustrated. No meal comes easy in the arctic. A third method used by the polar bear is the most cunning of all. The bear begins a long wait by sitting on a rock close to shore. This is a technique reserved for the experienced bears who have learned the hard way. Their more impulsive friends are intent on the impossible task of chasing down the beluga whales. This is not what the polar bear wanted to be chewing on. The patient bear continues to buy time. The water level rises with the tide allowing the beluga whales to come ever closer to land. And crucially, the rock. Another bear makes a premature dive. But the patient bear stays put. Half submerged in the icy brine, the beluga whales come ever closer, seemingly unaware of the danger. The bear will only get one chance at this. Success. The beluga whale's life comes to a premature end. The polar bear has earned a feast in this unforgiving biome.