2006-08-23 14:31:50 · 14 answers · asked by zacbobal 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Actually it has been shown that the bears will eat both, but it is believed that they are actually aftre the bee larvae. Bees, being Holometabolous have what is known as complete development, meaning that their young, are what are commonly refered to as larvae, they look like large white worms. These little grubs as they are also commonly referred to as are full of protein and are very nutritious for a hungry bear. The honey acta a secondary treat for the bears I think, because the nutritional return on honey is nowhere as high as it is for those fat little larvae. The bear would not risk serious injury for a tiny lick of honey. But if they could get upward of over 100 of these protein rich little grubs, then it is worth all the stings they get to the nose and gums.
In the wild, honey bees don't produce as much honey as the ones in the bee boxes in a apiculture facility, so in the wild, the reward of honey is less likely the driving force behind the bear's quest inot the bees nest.
Bee larvae:
http://www.arkive.org/media/634D06BB-B64C-4D8D-93DB-8626AD4FED2B/Presentation.Large/%09%09%09%09%09%09%09%09%09%09large-Honey-bee-larvae-in-cells.jpg
hope this answers your question!
Good one!
2006-08-24 02:22:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do Bears Really Like Honey
2017-01-11 15:32:28 · answer #2 · answered by chen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honey
2006-08-24 02:28:49 · answer #3 · answered by Gatorgal 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bears might be mean but no animal is going to eat bees for their nutritional value. Yes they have a sweet tooth and like honey.
2006-08-23 14:38:37 · answer #4 · answered by da_hammerhead 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They eat the honey. Bears love sweet things and eat lots of fruit so they are also very attracted to honey.
2006-08-23 15:58:16 · answer #5 · answered by Drew 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually Papa Smurf it is the bees the bears like and their larvae, the honey is just an extra treat.
2006-08-23 17:22:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, bears have a sweet tooth and are eating the honey.
2006-08-23 14:38:36 · answer #7 · answered by synchronicity915 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually they eat the honey AND the bee larvae inside the honeycomb..... It is like a super protein shake...LOL
http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/blackbear.htm
2006-08-24 05:13:31 · answer #8 · answered by Kelly + Eternal Universal Energy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no, they eat honey - bee stings can't go through their hide so it is safe for them to go at the nest. They might eat a few bees in the process but they are after the sweets!
2006-08-23 14:37:51 · answer #9 · answered by Michael S 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
they eat honey not the bees
2006-08-23 14:34:03 · answer #10 · answered by Neil G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋