Abstract

Two captive polar bears were exposed to six different marine mammal vocalizations, in an attempt to determine if polar bears would selectively respond to the underwater vocalization of their primary prey, ringed seals. Vocalizations were played to each bear for a total of eight minutes while their behavioral responses were observed. An analysis of activity indicated that the bears displayed a significantly stronger response to ringed seals' vocalizations. It is theorized that the ability to recognize the underwater vocalizations of their primary prey would increase a bear's probability of a successful capture when a ringed seal rises to breath at an ice bound breathing hole.

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