polar bear size comparison with elephant

Polar Bear Size Explained & Compared With Other Bears

Last Updated on April 10, 2023 by Amin Tawar

Polar Bear Height & Length

Polar Bear Size

The Arctic Circle and the Arctic Ocean make up the polar bear’s native range. It is a hypercarnivorous bear. 

The largest living species of bear and the largest living land carnivore are both polar bears. 

It is not surprising that polar bears, the biggest bear in the world and the main predator in the Arctic, serve as a potent metaphor for the tenacity and resilience of the region.

Talking about the height and length of the species, it is quite clear that Polar bears are one of the largest bear species on the planet. 

Standing on its hind legs, a large male polar bear can reach heights of almost 10 feet. The average length of adult male polar bears is 2.4 to 3 meters, or 5.9 to 9.8 feet, while the average length of adult female polar bears is 1.8 to 2.4 meters, or 5.9 to 7.8 feet. 

On average the shoulder heights of an adult polar bear range from 4 ft to 5.3 ft (1.2-1.6 meters). 

Polar Bear Height & LengthMeters Feet
Male Length2.4 to 3 meters5.9 to 9.8 feet
Female Length1.8 to 2.4 meters5.9 to 7.8 feet
Height1.2-1.6 m4-5.3 ft

Polar Bear Weight

Guinness claims that the heaviest polar bear ever recorded was killed in Alaska in 1960; it weighed about 2,209 pounds and measured almost 12 feet tall. 

However, on average a large female is roughly half as big as a large male, the latter can weigh more than 1,700 pounds (up to 1,000 pounds). The male polar bears are very large compared to the female polar bears. 1

Polar Bear WeightKilograms Pounds 
Male 400 to 600 kilograms 880 to 1,320 pounds
Female 150-250 kilograms 330 – 550 pounds

Polar Bear Paw & Teeth Size

Polar bears have large paws for their size, with some measuring up to 30 cm (12 in) in diameter. A polar bear moves over ice and snow by spreading its weight with the help of its large paws, which function as snowshoes.

Polar bear teeth, on the other hand, have a bite force of about 1,200 PSI and can lengthen to two inches. They are the deadliest bears on earth due to their enormous size, which also increases the force of their bite.

Polar Bear Baby Size

Moving on to the babies/cubs of the polar bear, let’s discuss how these animals grow over time and what their size is at birth. 

At birth, polar bear cubs measure about 30 cm (12 in.) in length and weigh between 454 and 680 g (16 and 24 oz.). A little bit bigger at birth than females are males.

Moreover, Cubs are only about 0.6 kg (1.3 lbs) when they are born. By the time they are 3 months old, they may weigh 10 to 12 kg (22 to 26 lbs) and have expanded by 20 times their original size.

Polar Bear Full Size

Polar bears are large species that grow insanely in terms of both height and weight. It is both the largest extant land carnivore and the largest extant bear species. 

Large male polar bears can weigh over 1,700 pounds and stand over 11 feet (3.3 meters) tall on their hind legs.

Polar Bear Litter Size

The Hudson Bay region’s female polar bears are known to fast for the most prolonged periods of any mammal species. Typically, this fasting period lasts 180–186 days before denning. 

Most often, litters contain two cubs, but they can also contain one, three, or, very infrequently, four cubs. 

Polar bears typically give birth to twins, though they are capable of having one to three cubs as well. The likelihood that at least one cub will live to adulthood is increased by this evolutionary adaptation.

Polar Bear Size Comparison To Human

Polar Bear Size compared with human

Male polar bears are more than five times heavier and about 1.5 times taller than male humans. 

The typical male polar bear is between 2.4 and 3 meters (8 to 10 feet) long and weighs 350 to 680 kilograms (775-1500 lbs). A human adult male (from the USA) is 1.75m (5 feet 9 inches) tall and 90 kg (198 lbs) in weight.

Therefore, if you get attacked by a polar bear there are fewer chances that you could survive the fight. 

Polar Bear Vs Grizzly Bear Size Comparison

Polar Bear Size compared with grizzly bear

Polar bears are typically larger than grizzly bears as well. 

Additionally, polar bears tend to be more hostile than grizzly bears. On average male polar bear weighs between 770 and 1,500 pounds. 

While male grizzly bears typically weigh between 400 and 790 pounds. When on their hind legs, polar bears rarely stand taller than 10 feet. The largest polar bear ever seen was an Alaskan bear that stood 12 feet tall.

In short, the Polar bear is much larger and heavier compared to the Grizzly bear, so in a fight between the two, it is sure that the polar bear would defeat the other. 

Animal type Height Weight 
Polar BearShoulder Height: 4-5.3 ftMale: 350–700 kg (770–1,540 lb)
Female:331 to 551 pounds (150 – 250 kgs)
Grizzly bearMale Height:1.07 and 1.37 m(3 feet 6 inches and 4 feet 6 inches) 
Female Height: 0.91-1.12 m(3 feet to 3 feet 8 inches)
Male: 181.4 – 272.1 kgs(400 and 600 lbs)
Female:113.3 – 158.7 kgs (250 and 350 lbs)

Polar Bear Vs Kodiak Bear Size Comparison

Polar Bear Size compared with Kodiak bear

Kodiak bears have brown, shaggy fur, while polar bears have white fur and long necks. Between a polar bear and a Kodiak bear, there are many significant differences. 

Alaska is home to the brown bear subspecies known as the Kodiak. The polar bear is typically regarded as the largest bear species on Earth, though it is not by much. The brown bear, particularly the Kodiak bear, comes in second place. 

A large Kodiak male can reach heights of over 10 feet on his hind legs and 5 feet when standing on all four legs. They can be as much as 1,500 pounds. 

Compared to males, females are 30% lighter and 20% smaller. Of the two bear types, the polar bear is much larger and heavier than the Kodiak beer. 

Animal type Height Weight 
Polar BearShoulder Height: 4-5.3 ftMale: 350–700 kg (770–1,540 lb)
Female:331 to 551 pounds (150 – 250 kgs)
Kodiak BearMale: 1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Female: 3 ft 4 inch – 4 ft (1.02-1.22 m)
Male: 300 to 600 kg (660 to 1,320 lb)
Female:  400-700 lb (181-318 kg)

Polar Bear Size Comparison To Lion

Polar Bear Size compared with lion

The only natural predators of adult polar bears are other adult polar bears. The average weight of a polar bear is 450 kilograms (990 lbs), while the average weight of a lion is about 190 kilograms (418 lbs). 

Because of this, polar bears have a significant physical advantage over lions in a fight. 

Animal type Height Weight 
Polar BearShoulder Height: 4-5.3 ftMale: 350–700 kg (770–1,540 lb)
Female:331 to 551 pounds (150 – 250 kgs)
Lion Male:1.2 m
Female: 90 – 110 cm
Male: 330 to 550 pounds (150 to 250 kilograms)
Female:265 and 395 pounds

Polar Bear Size Compared To Elephant

Polar Bear Size compared with elephant

Elephants and polar bears are both large, swift, and powerful animals. Polar bears are only 5-10 feet tall and weigh 1,300 pounds, whereas elephants can reach heights of 12 feet and weigh 12,000 pounds. Elephants are generally much bigger and more powerful than polar bears.

In terms of both height and weight, polar bears are very small compared to elephants. The elephant’s size is so large and massive. 

Animal type Height Weight 
Polar BearMale:2.4 to 3 meters (5.9 to 9.8 feet)
Female: 1.8 to 2.4 meters (5.9 to 7.8 feet)
Male: 350–700 kg (770–1,540 lb)
Female:331 to 551 pounds (150 – 250 kgs)
Elephant Male:10.5 feet (3.2 meters)
Female: 8 feet (2.4 meters)
Male: 1,800 and 6,300 kg (2 and 7 tons/ 4,000 and 14,000 lb)
Female:2,700 and 3,600 kg (3 and 4 tons/ 6,000 and 8,000 lb)

Conclusion

And that was everything you need to know about the size of a Polar Bear. I hope this article was helpful enough and you got something valuable from it.

Thank You For Reading!

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