Two bear cubs’ first trip to the seaside

On the eastern coast of North America, where the mighty tides reign supreme, resourceful animals like black bears have low-tide opportunities to feast on marine cuisine. These tidal zones can be precarious, but the turn of a rock can reveal a tasty oceanic treat.

In this clip from the BBC’s Seven Worlds, One Planet, a mother black bear leads her cute cubs on their very first visit to the seaside. Sir David Attenborough narrates:

“In a few hours, the tide will return, so they must keep up with mum. Here’s something: tasty crabs! Big crabs can give a nasty nip, so it’s best to start off with smaller ones. During spring, three quarters of the bears’ food comes from the beach.”

And they get a bit of playtime in, too. But when a large male black bear—a powerful stranger—wanders into the area, mealtime is paused. The family climbs up a tree to avoid the solitary wanderer as he roams his territory.

When he leaves, mother and cubs are able to grab a snack and move along before the tide rises again.

Watch more from Seven Worlds, One Planet on TKSST and on BBC Earth. Plus, a few related bear videos:
• Visiting a winter den with bear scientist Rae Wynn-Grant
• Black bear cubs learn to scamper up trees (sort of)
• Tracking hungry Alaskan grizzly bears with Phil Torres
• A ‘ghost bear’ mother teaches her cubs to fish