PhronesisBears are taxonomically carnivores but nutritionally omnivores; in most species, the majority of annual caloric intake derives from plant sources. We apply the displacement framework to feeding a bear on a fully plant-based diet. The giant panda already solves this problem evolutionarily. Brown and black bears derive 60-90% of calories from plants seasonally. The primary challenges are caloric density (pre-hibernation hyperphagia demands 20,000+ calories per day) and protein completeness.
We develop a complete vegan bear nutritional protocol centered on dense pressed tofu—the highest protein-to-volume plant food practical at scale—supplemented with hemp seeds, nut butters, legumes, whole grains, algae DHA, and nutritional yeast. Dense tofu is required: without it, caloric and protein density targets for a bear-sized omnivore are physiologically impossible on whole foods alone.
The polar bear is the honest exception. All other bear species: vegan feasibility is high.