* Frequency: While there's no set schedule, polar bears typically eat once every 5-10 days during the hunting season (when seals are readily available). They might go longer between meals when food is scarce.
* Amount: A single successful hunt can provide enough food to last a polar bear for several days. They can consume up to 40 kg (88 lbs) of blubber and meat in a single feeding.
* Seasons: During the summer, when seals are harder to catch, polar bears may eat less frequently and less often. They might scavenge for carrion or rely on their fat reserves.
Important considerations:
* Individual needs: The frequency of eating varies depending on the individual polar bear's age, size, and health.
* Availability of prey: The amount of food a polar bear needs to survive depends on the availability of seals, their main prey.
* Climate change: Climate change is impacting the availability of sea ice, which is essential for polar bear hunting. This is leading to food scarcity and increased starvation among polar bear populations.
In summary, polar bears can survive on a diet of seals, eating once every 5-10 days when hunting is successful. However, they face challenges in accessing food due to climate change, which threatens their survival.