Polar Bear Food Hudson Bay Churchill Manitoba

Scraps are food are scattered on a frozen lake as a Polar Bear rips apart a ringed seal near the Hudson Bay in Churchill, Manitoba.

Polar Bears are not dainty eaters, but considering the size of these massive land carnivores, they are very choosy on the parts of a ringed seal they like for their main food course. They will leave the meat of a seal for other wildlife around the Hudson Bay to snack on but easily devour the skin, fat and internal organs.

As this Polar Bear takes apart a ringed seal on a frozen lake near the Hudson Bay in Churchill, Manitoba, he pays close attention for anything lurking near by. Most smaller species of animals are smart enough to wait for the Polar Bear to leave after he has finished what he wants of his food before moving in for the scraps.

To catch a seal, the Polar Bear will stand above breathing holes between the ice and once a seal pops his head above the surface, the Polar Bear will snatch it out of the Hudson Bay. The seal has very little chance of survival when it is under attack from a Polar Bear as one hard swift from their massive paws could mean death for the seal.

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Their food intake varies on the seasons throughout the year but winter is when they take in as much food as possible to survive the warm summer months. A majority of their diet consists of seals, especially around the Hudson Bay but they have been known to eat walruses and whales. When the food source is scarce, a Polar Bear will eat reindeer, small animals, birds, fish, kelp, berries and home owner's garbage.

A Polar Bear requires around four pounds of food a day in order to stay healthy throughout the year and a single ringed seal weighs approximately one hundred and twenty-one pounds. If needed, one seal could provide a Polar Bear with enough food for up to a period of eight days but they do not seem to stretch it that long if there is ample food in the area.

Tundra Buggy Tours are available to see the Polar Bears around the Hudson Bay in Churchill, Manitoba and on occasion passengers will see a Polar Bear eating his daily food supply. Not one of the more pleasant ways to watch a Polar Bear in action but their food is a priority during the winter months.

Polar Bear, Ursus maritimus, eating a seal on a frozen lake near the shores of Hudson Bay, Churchill, Manitoba, Canada.

Please check out our special page with valuable scientific information facts about polar bears.