A Nose for the Arctic: The Polar Bear’s Secret Weapon
Forget claws and canines — Lead Scientist Cate Collins reveals the polar bear’s most underrated weapon: its nose.
In the frozen, white expanse of sea ice in the Arctic, polar bears rely on their keen sense of smell to hunt, find mates, and avoid encounters with other polar bears. Read on to learn more about how their noses are not to be underestimated.
Lead Scientist Cate Collins discussed the polar bear’s skull adaptations during the charter flight to Churchill, Manitoba, on a recent expedition.
Built for It
Polar bear skulls evolved to detect prey over vast distances. They have a long skull that accommodates a large olfactory bulb, enhancing their sense of smell. Additionally, they have a network of bone in their nasal cavity, called turbinates. These structures create high surface area channels that warm the air they breathe before it reaches their lungs. These channels also bind odor molecules and direct air flow to the smell receptors.
While polar bears have a powerful sense of smell, they have fewer smell receptors compared to other bears species. This adaptation aligns with the Arctic’s relatively sparse variety of smells compared to warmer climates. Interestingly, having a longer skull often correlates with a larger roaming range, which holds true for polar bears. They traverse vast areas in their quest to hunt seals. Since their prey is widely dispersed, their sense of smell is crucial for locating food.
Polar bears also possess a special organ called the Jacobson’s organ, located in the roof of their mouth, which aids their sense of smell. This organ helps them detect pheromones from potential mates, rivals, and prey. When using this organ, a polar bear may hold its head high, curl back its lips into what looks like a smirk or grimace, and inhale deeply for a few seconds.
Time to Hunt
Polar bears use their exceptional sense of smell to hunt seals. While their movements can appear leisurely, their entire existence revolves around conserving energy and successfully hunting. They are constantly processing information about their surroundings. When hunting, Polar bears will often travel crosswind to detect scents carried by the wind and maximize the amount of air they can sample.
Seals, which have strong, fishy breath, leave behind scent clues that polar bears can detect. Remarkably, polar bears seem able to detect whether seal has recently been at a breathing hole. To protect themselves, seals dig multiple breathing holes in the ice during the fall, using their sharp claws. They maintain these breathing holes throughout the winter, even in thick ice. Polar bears sniff out these breathing holes and wait patiently for a seal to surface for air, seizing the opportunity to attack.
Without their powerful noses, polar bears would struggle to survive in the unforgiving Arctic. Each successful hunt, guided by their remarkable sense of smell, sustains them in this harsh environment.
References
Green, P. A., Valkenburgh, B., Pang, B., Bird, D., Rowe, T., & Curtis, A. (2012). Respiratory and olfactory turbinal size in canid and arctoid carnivorans. Journal of Anatomy, 221(6), 609–621. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7580.2012.01570.x
Polar Bears International. Diet & Prey. Retrieved January 18, 2025, from https://polarbearsinternational.org/polar-bears-changing-arctic/polar-bear-facts/diet-prey/
Stirling, I. (2011). Polar bears: The natural history of a threatened species. Fitzhenry & Whiteside.
Togunov, R., Derocher, A. & Lunn, N. (2017) Windscapes and olfactory foraging in a large carnivore. Scientific Reports, 7, Article 46332. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep46332
About Gold Star Canadian Tours
At Gold Star Canadian Tours, we focus on providing the worlds best travel experiences to authentically Canadian destinations. Our flagship tour is a convenient 1-day Polar Bear Expedition with dedicated non-stop charter flights from major airports directly to Churchill, Manitoba. With Gold Star Canadian Tours, the wonders of the Canada are closer than ever. Your Adventure Awaits!
