What Do Polar Bears Eat? [12,000 Calories Per Day]

Polar bears can burn through more than 12,000 calories in a day, so where do they get all that energy from? Hi, I'm Nate from PolarGuideBook.com, and today, we're going to see exactly what's on the menu for Earth's largest land predator. So, let's get started. Although most bears are omnivores because they eat both plants and meat, polar bears are carnivores. A typical diet includes seals, larger marine mammals, terrestrial mammals, and other food sources. This is a ringed seal, a polar bear's favorite food. Seal blubber is very high in energy, so they don't need to eat a large amount relative to their weight. A typical 500 kilogram bear would only need to eat one kilogram of seal blubber each day to maintain its weight. Their primary prey is ringed seals, although they will switch depending on what is available. In some regions, they also eat bearded, harp, hooded, and harbor seals. During winter, when there is seasonal sea ice in the Arctic, they use this as a platform to catch seals from the ocean. However, during the summer months when much of the ice melts, polar bears migrate to the This is why they build up large fat reserves during the winter instead. Polar bears also feed on larger marine mammals such as beluga whales, narwhal, and walrus. Beluga whales are the third-largest contributor to their diet, eaten by around half of the population. Whales are more commonly eaten by adult males. This is likely due to their size, These larger marine mammals would be shared between a group of polar bears rather than being eaten by a single bear. They don't usually eat dolphins, since they migrate south for winter, and the two avoid crossing paths. However, the bears are occasionally spotted feasting on dolphins that get stuck in the Arctic as it freezes over. Next on the menu are terrestrial mammals. Although some polar bears build up enough fat reserves to last through the summer, many require extra food too. This is why they also hunt other land-dwelling animals such as caribou and muskox. We can also group snow geese, marine birds, and even fish in with this group of summer treats. Finally, other food sources makes up the smallest part of a polar bear's diet. As opportunistic hunters, they will eat most things they can get their hands on when food is scarce. They have been known to eat marine algae, grass, berries, and eggs. This is why experts call them hyper-carnivores. These are animals whose diet is more than 70% meat. So, how do polar bears get their food? Catching a seal is no problem. The bears sit beside a hole in the ice, waiting for seals to come up for air. Then, using their long snout and neck, they will pull the seal out through the hole. As for larger marine mammals, they must do this the hard way by getting into the water. Luckily, polar bears are excellent swimmers. The partial webbing between their toes helps them swim, and their hollow hairs and blubber provide buoyancy. For catching prey, their short, curved claws prove very useful. Unfortunately, climate change poses a threat to the diet of a polar bear. We've already seen how the sea ice is an essential part of their hunting strategy. However, as shown in this visualization, sea ice is on the decline. Ice-free summers are predicted in the Arctic before the end of the century. Before then, polar bears will need to adapt to more abundant sources of prey, such as terrestrial animals. However, as they look for food further south, they will face increased competition for prey with their sister species, grizzly bears. If the two are not able to live together, it could result in extinction. Did you know that polar bears don't have white fur? It's actually translucent! That's just one of the 12 interesting facts about polar bears we've put together in this next video. Check it out to learn more. Thanks for watching!