Polar Bears in the wild are opportunistic hunters. But what do they eat and how do they go about hunting their prey?
Seeing bears in the wild is certainly one of the most exhilarating of all wildlife experiences. Whether it is Grizzly Bears, Brown Bears, European Bears or Polar Bears, these magnificent creatures never fail to make an impression.
With the advent of specialised wildlife companies, seeing bears in the wild has become more and more accessible, and the Polar Bears of the Arctic are particularly popular. Understanding how these animals eat and hunt provides a valuable understanding for those embarking on bear tours.
What Do They Eat?
Polar Bears in the wild mainly eat seals, which they hunt by waiting for them to come up to breathe through the holes in the ice. The seals create these holes and keep them open all winter; a seal needs to come up to breathe every 10 minutes on average, but they can also use pockets of air that sometimes get trapped underneath the ice.
The Polar Bears locate these breathing holes through their very sensitive sense of smell, and then patiently wait for a hapless seal to surface before attacking. They also stalk the seals that are often found basking on the ice. When an unsuspecting seal is pounced upon, it stands very little chance of survival.
Eating Habits
A Polar Bear, like many other wild animals, lives its life fasting and feasting. Opportunistic hunting is inherent in its daily life and when the pickings are good, they flourish. It is primarily the blubber of the seal that keeps them strong and in peak condition, but they will also feast on Arctic Foxes, Gulls and Ravens.
During the summer months, the ice in the Arctic retreats and so do the Polar Bears, travelling many miles to keep their source of food within reach; those that do venture ashore do so at their own risk. Food sources on land do not have the fat content or required calories to keep them strong, and relying on catching seals in open water is also not ideal.
Other Food Sources
Polar Bears in the wild will also feast on vegetation, birds and their eggs, and other mammals - although these foods provide insufficient nutrients in terms of what their needs are. They will also feed on the occasional whale carcass, Walrus and Narwhal, and the latter are easy to get hold of when they become trapped in an opening in the ice. Despite this, their main source of food is always the seal.
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