Polar bears, apex predators of the Arctic. Understanding their physical dimensions provides insight into their formidable nature and how they dominate their icy habitat.
Polar Bear Dimensions
Adult male polar bears are larger than females. Males typically weigh between 350 to over 700 kilograms (770 to 1,540 pounds). Females are significantly smaller, generally weighing from 150 to 350 kilograms (330 to 770 pounds). However, a pregnant female can nearly double her weight, reaching up to 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds) before entering her den.
From nose to tail, male polar bears measure approximately 2.4 to 3 meters (7 feet 10 inches to 9 feet 10 inches) in length, while females range from 1.8 to 2.4 meters (5 feet 11 inches to 7 feet 10 inches). When walking on all fours, an adult male stands about 1.22 to 1.6 meters (4 to 5.3 feet) tall at the shoulder.
Human Dimensions
The average adult male in the United States stands approximately 175 centimeters (5 feet 9 inches) tall. The average weight for adult males in the U.S. is around 90.6 kilograms (199.8 pounds). Adult females in the U.S. have an average height of about 161 centimeters (5 feet 3.5 inches). Their average weight is roughly 77.5 kilograms (170.8 pounds).
Putting Size into Perspective
The size difference between a polar bear and a human is quite striking. When a male polar bear is on all fours, its shoulder height of up to 1.6 meters (5.3 feet) means it can stand taller than many adult humans, even before it fully stands up. Imagine standing next to a polar bear; its back would likely be at eye level or even higher for an average person. This quadrupedal stance already conveys a sense of immense bulk and power.
The true scale becomes even more apparent when a polar bear stands upright on its hind legs. A large male can reach a towering height of 3 to 3.5 meters (10 to 11.5 feet), with the largest recorded individual standing 3.7 meters (12 feet) tall. This is comparable to standing next to a small vehicle or looking up at a basketball hoop with an additional person standing on top of it. Such a height allows the bear to scan its surroundings and exert an intimidating presence.
Considering weight, an average male polar bear, weighing around 408 kilograms (900 pounds), is equivalent to the combined weight of four to five average adult men. Even an average female polar bear, at 181 to 227 kilograms (400 to 500 pounds), outweighs two to three adult humans. This substantial mass, coupled with their predatory adaptations, underscores why polar bears are considered the largest land carnivores.