Polar bears hunt for ringed seals by waiting for them to emerge from breathing holes in ice. Which abiotic change may decrease a polar bear's ability to hunt?

Question

A. increased ice cover
B. increased temperatures
C. increased seal population
D. increased competition

Answer 1

The abiotic change that may decrease a polar bear's ability to hunt is:

B. increased temperatures

Increased temperatures can lead to a reduction in sea ice, which is critical for polar bears to hunt ringed seals. With less ice, polar bears may have a harder time finding and waiting at breathing holes to catch seals.