Table 1 The protein and fat metabolizable energy concentrations (%) in ursid milks and in the diets selected by brown bears, polar bears, and sloth bears when given ad libitum access to foods rich in protein, fat, and digestible carbohydrates (PFC) or protein and fat only (PF)1,3,4,29,32,40,54,55.
From: Ursids evolved early and continuously to be low-protein macronutrient omnivores
Species | Time, Diet | Milk | Adult diet | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Protein | Fat | Protein | Fat | ||
Black bear, captive | Hibernation | 14 | 82 | – | – |
Post-hibernation | 25 | 73 | – | – | |
Brown bear, captive | Hibernation | 14 | 82 | – | – |
Post-hibernation | 25 | 73 | – | – | |
Annual, PFC | – | – | 17 ± 4 | 72 ± 9 | |
Fall, PF | – | – | 20 | 80 | |
Giant panda | – | 22 | 70 | – | – |
Captive, Memphis Zoo | January to March | – | – | 20 | – |
Captive, Chinese zoos | Annual | – | – | 19 ± 4 | – |
Polar bear, wild | 4 to 16 months | 14 | 82 | – | – |
Captive | Annual, PF | – | – | 24 ± 7 | 76 ± 7 |
Wild | Annual, PF | – | – | 18 ± 2 | 82 ± 2 |
Sloth bear, captive | – | 28 | 66 | – | – |
Annual, PFC | – | – | 12 ± 10 | 77 ± 14 | |
Average | 21 ± 5 | 75 ± 6 | 18 ± 4 | 77 ± 2 | |
