Black bears are omnivores that eat some animal protein (insects, fish and winter-killed wildlife). More than 80% of their diet is vegetation most of the year: grasses, dandelions, berries, nuts and fruits. In the Fall, before hibernating, bears may eat a lot of salmon.
In the summer bears eat about 5,000 calories a day.
Before hibernating, a black bear will eat constantly to put on weight, consuming 20,000 calories a day (10 times more than an adult human). This is about 20kg of high-protein food or 40kg of plant food.
Look at the foods that a black bear eats (see materials).
Weigh bear food:
Either pile into a tray on a scale
Or set up a plank of wood with a rod as a pivot. Add a bin to one side, then slide the plank sideways until it is balanced. Then add a weight e.g. 5kg/10lb to the other side from the bin. Add food to the bin until the scale tips - students can each add an item, building anticipation until the scale tips.
In the summer a bear 'meal' is about 5kg of plants, berries and nuts.Compare with a person’s lunch (e.g. bagel and cheese).
Before hibernation 5kg is just a bear 'snack'. (They need 20kg high protein food, or 40kg plant food per day.)
Optionally, look at a bear skull or picture to see the kinds of teeth they have. Black bears are omnivores, eating mostly plants and berries, as well as salmon and carrion meat. Their teeth are also used for defence.
Black bear eating berries, using their flexible lips and tongues to pick them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nV064dOMEQQ
Grizzly bears catching salmon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSSPDwAQLXs
