The Inuits were and are fishers and hunters. They hunted whale, seals, caribou, walrus, birds, and even polar bears. Despite the harsh Arctic climate, the Inuit were able to gather plants and fruits such as grasses, seaweed, and berries. Sea animals were hunted from single-occupancy, easily transported, sealskin boats called qajaq (now called kayaks). In winter, the Inuit would hunt sea animals similar to the way polar bears hunt, by patiently waiting at breathing holes for seals to emerge.