Zoo database

Polar Bear

Ursus maritimus

Natural diet Polar Bear

Polar bear are strictly carnivorous predators. They primarily feed on seals, but occasionally larger prey such as walruses and narwhals are consumed too. Food intake increases during spring/summer months to accumulate enough fat because of hibernation during the winter period.

Fish
Fish
Vertebrates
Vertebrates

Feeding advice Polar Bear

Feed quantity per day

0.2-0.4%

Sample percentage calculation

If an animal weighs 450 kg and eats 0,3% of its body weight, it will get
 
450 x 0 = 1,35 kg feed in total per day

Feed composition

69% Meat and whole prey
30% Fish products
1% Supplements

Proportions (fresh product)

0,69 x 1,35 kg = 932 g meat and whole prey
0,3 x 1,35 kg = 405 g fish products
0,01 x 1,35 kg = 14 g supplements

Diet Suggestions

Recommended

Variety of prey
Whole prey
Variety of fish
Supplements

Not recommended

Common diseases

An unbalanced diet may result in one of these more commonly occurring diseases/conditions:

  • Pododermatitis
  • Neoplasia
  • Alopecia
  • Arthritis and skeletal Disease
  • Hepatic lipidosis
  • Kidney disease

Additional advice

  • Divide the “Feed quantity per day” over at least two feeding moments per day.
  • Polar bears have a high need for fat and a low demand for protein. This should be taken into account when selecting the diet.
  • Polar bears have different nutritional needs every season. Although fasting days are inappropriate for bears in captivity, the diet should be adapted accordingly to the activity levels to avoid obesity (read more about seasonal fluctuations and hibernation).
  • The supplements should be given according to the appropriate dosage that is mentioned on the labelling.
  • To promote the oral health, it is important to offer the soft food first and then the hard food such as bones and skin.
  • Stimulate foraging behaviour by hanging, stacking or hiding the feed. For instance by feeding large bones, frozen food or placement in food puzzles (read more about feed enrichment and foraging behaviour).