How do polar bears adapt their hunting strategies to the changing conditions of the Arctic sea ice, and what challenges do they face as sea ice continues to decline?

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) adapt their hunting strategies based on sea ice conditions by using ice floes as platforms to hunt seals. As sea ice declines due to climate change, they face challenges such as longer swims between ice patches, reduced hunting grounds, and decreased access to prey. To cope, polar bears may travel greater distances, hunt more intensively, or shift their diet to include alternative prey, but these adaptations are not always sufficient to counteract the effects of ice loss.