Terrestrial predation by polar bears: not just a wild goose chase

Behavioral predictions based on optimal foraging models that assume an energy-maximizing strategy have been challenged on both theoretical and empirical grounds. Although polar bears ( Ursus maritimus ) are specialist predators of seal pups on the Arctic ice pack, the use of terrestrial food sources...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polar biology 2013-09, Vol.36 (9), p.1373-1379
Main Authors: Iles, D. T., Peterson, S. L., Gormezano, L. J., Koons, D. N., Rockwell, R. F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Animal and plant ecology
Animal behavior
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Aquatic birds
Aquatic mammals
Autoecology
Aves
Biological and medical sciences
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Birds
Climate change
Climate prediction
Climatic changes
Ecology
Foraging behavior
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Geese
General aspects
Ice
Life Sciences
Mammalia
Microbiology
Nutrition
Oceanography
Particular ecosystems
Plant Sciences
Polar bear
Polar bears
Predation
Predators
Requirements
Short Note
Synecology
Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution
Zoology
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Summary:Behavioral predictions based on optimal foraging models that assume an energy-maximizing strategy have been challenged on both theoretical and empirical grounds. Although polar bears ( Ursus maritimus ) are specialist predators of seal pups on the Arctic ice pack, the use of terrestrial food sources during the ice-free period has received increased attention in recent years in light of climate predictions. Across a 10-day period of observation, we documented between four and six individual polar bears successfully capture at least nine flightless lesser snow geese ( Chen caerulescens caerulescens ) and engage in at least eight high-speed pursuits of geese. The observed predatory behaviors of polar bears do not support predictions made by energy-optimizing foraging models and suggest that polar bears may frequently engage in energy inefficient pursuits of terrestrial prey. Further study of the nutritional needs and foraging behaviors of polar bears during the ice-free period is warranted, given that polar bears are predicted to spend more time on land as climate change advances.
ISSN:0722-4060
1432-2056
DOI:10.1007/s00300-013-1341-5