The Kodiak bear (Ursus arctos middendorffi) is a distinct subspecies of brown bear found exclusively on the islands of the Kodiak Archipelago in Alaska. Geographical isolation and an abundant food supply have allowed them to evolve into one of the largest terrestrial carnivores in the world. Understanding their precise measurements requires looking at factual biological data.
Specific Size Measurements
The size of Kodiak bears exhibits significant sexual dimorphism; adult males (boars) are substantially larger than females (sows). An average mature boar measures approximately 8 feet (244 cm) in length and stands about 4 feet, 4 inches (133 cm) tall at the shoulder when on all fours. Boars typically average between 1,050 and 1,177 pounds (477 to 534 kg).
Sows are smaller, generally weighing between 400 and 700 pounds (181 to 318 kg). Both sexes experience dramatic seasonal weight fluctuations as they prepare for winter hibernation, gaining 20 to 30% of their total body mass during the late summer and autumn feeding season.
The largest recorded wild male weighed an exceptional 1,656 pounds (751 kg) just before denning. While these record sizes are rare outliers, large boars can reach a peak weight of up to 1,500 pounds (680 kg) during this fall period. Adult size is typically attained around six years of age.
Understanding Height Measurements
Two different metrics are commonly used to measure bear height: shoulder height and standing height. Shoulder height is the scientifically relevant measurement, taken from the ground to the top of the shoulder hump when the bear is on all four paws. Large male Kodiak bears can measure up to 4.9 feet (1.5 meters) at the shoulder.
The standing height is the bear’s total height when it rears up on its hind legs. A large male Kodiak bear can reach up to 9.8 feet (3 meters) standing. This measurement is often an estimate or an anecdote, as it relies on the bear’s willingness to fully stretch its body upright.
For official record-keeping, the most standardized method for evaluating size is measuring the bear’s skull. This involves summing the length and width of the skull, which provides a consistent measure of overall bone structure. Another common metric is the “squared” measurement of the bear’s hide, which is an average of the nose-to-tail length and the width between the front claws.
Size Comparison to Other Large Bears
The Kodiak bear shares the title of the world’s largest bear with the Polar bear (Ursus maritimus). Kodiak bears are substantially larger than their closest mainland relatives, the Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis), which are an interior population of brown bears. An average male Grizzly typically weighs between 400 and 790 pounds, making it significantly smaller than the average Kodiak boar.
The Kodiak is considered the largest subspecies of brown bear, while the Polar bear is the largest species overall. Average male Kodiak boars tend to be slightly heavier than average male Polar bears, averaging over 1,000 pounds compared to the Polar bear’s average of about 990 pounds. However, the largest recorded individual Polar bears have historically outweighed the largest recorded wild Kodiak bears.
The Kodiak bear is generally bulkier and more heavily built, reflecting its life of foraging on solid ground. Conversely, Polar bears are typically taller and longer in body shape. The Kodiak bear’s immense size is supported by the rich, resource-filled environment of the Kodiak Archipelago.