Bears exhibit diverse feeding patterns influenced by daily cycles and seasonal changes. As opportunistic omnivores, their diet and foraging schedule are highly adaptable.
Daily Feeding Habits
Bears display varied activity patterns throughout a 24-hour cycle, influenced by human presence, temperature, and food availability. Many species are primarily crepuscular, most active during dawn and dusk. During these times, black and sun bears, for instance, forage for berries, nuts, fruits, insects, and honey. Some bears may also exhibit diurnal (daytime) activity, especially in areas with minimal human disturbance.
Conversely, bears may become more nocturnal, foraging at night to avoid human activity or competition. Brown bears in Scandinavia and polar bears, for example, may hunt at night. While black bears can be active at any time, those near human habitations often become more nocturnal. This flexibility helps bears adapt to their surroundings.
Seasonal Nutritional Needs
Bear eating patterns change significantly with the seasons, driven by food availability and preparation for hibernation. After emerging from their dens in spring, bears are hungry and focus on replenishing lost energy. They seek out early vegetation like grasses, dandelions, sedges, which are rich in protein. Bears also scavenge on winter-killed animals or prey on vulnerable young ungulates.
As summer progresses, their diet shifts to abundant soft fruits and berries, such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, which provide essential sugars. Insects like beetles, wasps, and ants also become a significant protein source. This period helps bears prepare for autumn’s intense feeding phase.
Autumn marks a period known as hyperphagia, where bears engage in excessive eating to build fat reserves for hibernation. During this time, they may consume up to 20,000 calories per day, gaining several pounds daily. This intense foraging focuses on calorie-dense foods like nuts, acorns, and remaining berries, enabling them to gain 20-30% or more of their body weight. Hyperphagia is crucial for winter survival, as bears enter a state of torpor, relying entirely on stored fat reserves and ceasing to eat, drink, or excrete for months.
Influences on Feeding Behavior
Several external factors beyond seasonal and daily rhythms influence when and what bears eat. The availability of specific food sources dictates foraging patterns, with bears congregating in areas rich in berries, nuts, or salmon runs. If natural foods are scarce, bears may travel extensively to find alternative sustenance.
Human presence also significantly alters bear feeding schedules. Bears living near human developments may shift to more nocturnal feeding to avoid disturbance. They can be attracted to human-provided foods like garbage, pet food, or fruit trees, which offer high-calorie, easily accessible meals. This can lead to increased human-bear conflicts as bears become habituated to human food sources.
Weather and climate conditions further impact food availability and bear feeding times. Temperature extremes or prolonged droughts can affect plant growth and ripening, forcing bears to adjust foraging strategies. Competition with other animals for limited resources can also influence when and where an individual bear chooses to feed.