Polar bears unlikely to thrive on land-based foods

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Polar bears unlikely to thrive on land-based foods

[ http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Polar ... s_999.html ]

by Staff Writers Anchorage AK (SPX) Apr 02, 2015

Few foods are as energetically dense as marine prey. Studies suggest that polar bears consume the highest lipid diet of any species, which provides all essential nutrients and is ideal for maximizing fat deposition and minimizing energetic requirements.

A team of scientists led by the U.S. Geological Survey found that polar bears, increasingly forced on shore due to sea ice loss, may be eating terrestrial foods including berries, birds and eggs, but any nutritional gains are limited to a few individuals and likely cannot compensate for lost opportunities to consume their traditional, lipid-rich prey -- ice seals.

"Although some polar bears may eat terrestrial foods, there is no evidence the behavior is widespread," said Dr. Karyn Rode, lead author of the study and scientist with the USGS. "In the regions where terrestrial feeding by polar bears has been documented, polar bear body condition and survival rates have declined."

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