Nutrition
DIET
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Polar bears have a wide variety of prey, the composition of which depends on:
SEALS
RINGED SEALS & BEARDED SEALS make up a high proportion of polar bear diet.
This proportion varies depending on the region in which a bear lives, but these two make up most of almost every polar bear's meal (Thiemann et al.)
Ringed seals are very common in the Arctic, and therefore are easy for polar bears to find. They're also much smaller than bearded seals, so when found they are typically much easier for adult and smaller subadult bears to hunt and kill.
- the bear's region of habitat
- the time of year - specifically, the availability of ice
SEALS
RINGED SEALS & BEARDED SEALS make up a high proportion of polar bear diet.
This proportion varies depending on the region in which a bear lives, but these two make up most of almost every polar bear's meal (Thiemann et al.)
Ringed seals are very common in the Arctic, and therefore are easy for polar bears to find. They're also much smaller than bearded seals, so when found they are typically much easier for adult and smaller subadult bears to hunt and kill.
OTHER SEALS are included in the meals of polar bears, although usually to a much lesser extent. These type of prey depend on the region in which a bear is hunting, but usually consist of harbor seals, harp seals and/or hooded seals.
MAMMAL CARCASSES
Although not as common as seals, polar bears have been seen eating the carcasses of certain whales. Even less common is the consumption of narwhals and walruses, but the consumption of dead mammals certainly does make up a portion of a polar bear's diet.
Although not as common as seals, polar bears have been seen eating the carcasses of certain whales. Even less common is the consumption of narwhals and walruses, but the consumption of dead mammals certainly does make up a portion of a polar bear's diet.
ANYTHING ELSE!
During the warm months of summer, ice is not as available and polar bears can't hunt seals quite as easily. But these giant animals must get their calories from somewhere right?
During these warm periods, polar bears have been studied eating plants, other mammals, bird eggs, vegetation and even human garbage in order to meet their dietary needs (Kautz; Gormezano et al.). However, these snacks just aren't as rich as a blubbery seal or whale carcass, so many polar bears lose weight during this time as they simply can't intake enough calories and end up relying on their storages of fat to survive (Kautz).
During the warm months of summer, ice is not as available and polar bears can't hunt seals quite as easily. But these giant animals must get their calories from somewhere right?
During these warm periods, polar bears have been studied eating plants, other mammals, bird eggs, vegetation and even human garbage in order to meet their dietary needs (Kautz; Gormezano et al.). However, these snacks just aren't as rich as a blubbery seal or whale carcass, so many polar bears lose weight during this time as they simply can't intake enough calories and end up relying on their storages of fat to survive (Kautz).
HUNTING
Polar bears are considered carnivorous, and spend a lot of their time hunting prey. They are the top predators in their habitat so they don't worry much about predation, but with their large size they need to eat - and eat a lot - to ensure that they have enough energy for survival. This helps explain why polar bears love to eat seals, as the blubber they provide can sustain a polar bear for days at a time.
Since hunting is the primary way polar bears obtain food, they have developed extreme physical traits and clever tactics in order to be most successful.
AMBUSHING
For polar bears, one of the most well-known and most effective methods of hunting is simply waiting for the food to come to them. During the winter months when ice is plentiful, the large predators often sit and wait near holes in the ice for several hours for a seal to come up for air.
Since hunting is the primary way polar bears obtain food, they have developed extreme physical traits and clever tactics in order to be most successful.
AMBUSHING
For polar bears, one of the most well-known and most effective methods of hunting is simply waiting for the food to come to them. During the winter months when ice is plentiful, the large predators often sit and wait near holes in the ice for several hours for a seal to come up for air.
As soon as a seal is spotted, the bear has a split second to lunge and capture its prey. If it succeeds, it may not have to hunt for another few days - if not, the bear will have to wait another few hours (if not days) for another seal to show up.