Unlike other bear species, polar bears are almost exclusively meat eaters (carnivorous). They mainly eat ringed seals, but may also eat bearded seals. Polar bears hunt seals by waiting for them to come to the surface of sea ice to breathe.

What do polar bears eat in captivity?

Polar bears at the San Diego Zoo get a fortified meat-based commercial carnivore diet, dog kibble, trout and other fish, as well as root vegetables and lettuce as treats. Cow femur bones and thawed rabbits are added once or twice per week.

How do polar bears get food?

In early summer, polar bears obtain much of their food by stalking seals basking in the sun. The bear will spot his prey and creep upon it in silence, its translucent fur camouflaging the predator against the ice and snow.