Protein and Fat Consumption of Zoo Polar Bears in 14-day Ad Libitum Trials, 2019-2020

• Main Authors: USGS Alaska Science Center, Polar Bear Research Program, Rode, Karyn D
• Format: Dataset
• Language: unknown
• Published: U.S. Geological Survey 2022
• Subjects: Mammals, Carnivores, Bears, Animal behavior, Marine mammals, Foraging behavior, Diets, Wildlife food habits, Wildlife, Marine ecosystems, Nutrition, Protein, Polar Bears, Ursus maritimus, Fat; Ursus maritimus
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.5066/p9w7mp0t; https://alaska.usgs.gov/products/data.php?dataid=415

This is a single table containing measures of the amount of fat and meat consumed by 4 adult female and 5 adult male polar bears in U.S. zoos when provided both food sources ad libitum for 12-14 days. Trial length was intended to be 14 days, but trial dietary items ran out for two bears prior to the end of the trial (i.e., at 12 and 13 days instead of 14 days). The data set includes the weight of each bear at the beginning and end of the trial and the dry matter, protein, lipid, and energy content of the meat provided in the trials. Fat was considered to be 100% dry matter and 100% lipid.