Diet

MAIN FOOD OF POLAR BEARS

The favourite prey for polar bears are pinnipeds.

Ringed seal (Pusa hispida) has a circumpolar distribution throughout the Arctic and is polar bears’ primary prey. Being relatively small, it can be preyed upon by bears of any age.

 

 

 

 

Bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus) is the second major food source for polar bears. It is larger than the ringed seal and can be captured mostly by bigger specimens.

 

 

 

 

Greenland seal/Harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) is the most numerous seal species in the Arctic. They are social animals and form large colonies on drifting ice floes during breeding season. Their pups are easy prey for polar bears.

 

 

 

Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus), the largest pinniped of the Artcic, is preyed upon rarely. Hunting for walruses is risky for polar bears and only giant males can succeed.

Whales are commonly too big a mouthful for a polar bear. But occasionally they can be captured when having come to polynyas to breathe and surrounded by ice, not being able to escape.