Photo of a Brown Bear Digging For Clams

One of the interesting behaviors of coastal brown bears (Ursus arctos) is their interest in eating razor clams. Negative low tides expose broad tide flats along the Cook Inlet coast. Brown bears are quite tuned to the timing of these low tides and will arrive at the beach shortly before the tide flats are exposed. Working alone, each bear will sniff around and look for clam vents in the sand before digging up a razor clam and eating it, repeating the process for hours.

Coastal brown bear forages for razor clams on mud flats at extreme low tide, Ursus arctos, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska

Coastal brown bear forages for razor clams on mud flats at extreme low tide.
Image ID: 19224
Species: Brown bear, Ursus arctos
Location: Lake Clark National Park, Alaska, USA

About Phil Colla

I am a natural history photographer. I enjoy making compelling images in the ocean, on land, and in the air. I have maintained the Natural History Photography blog since 2005 and my searchable Natural History Photography Library since 1997. Here are some tear sheets and behind the scenes views. Thanks for looking!