Determining the largest bear in the world is not always straightforward, leading to common discussions. The answer often depends on specific metrics, such as average weight, overall length, or maximum recorded size. This variation in measurement methods contributes to nuanced answers.
The Two Titans: Polar Bear and Kodiak Bear
The debate for the world’s largest bear centers on two species: the polar bear and the Kodiak bear. The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is a distinct species adapted to life in the Arctic. Its coat is white or yellowish, providing camouflage in its icy environment.
The Kodiak bear (Ursus arctos middendorffi) is a brown bear subspecies found exclusively on the Kodiak Archipelago in southwestern Alaska. Its geographic isolation has led to its impressive size.
Size and Measurement: The Defining Metrics
The polar bear is recognized as the largest extant bear species and the largest land carnivore by body mass. Male polar bears weigh between 300 to 800 kilograms (660 to 1,760 pounds) and stand 1.3 to 1.6 meters (4.3 to 5.2 feet) tall at the shoulder. Standing upright, large males can reach 3 to 3.7 meters (10 to 12 feet). The largest polar bear recorded weighed 1,002 kilograms (2,209 pounds) and stood 3.38 meters (11 feet 1 inch) tall.
Kodiak bears, a subspecies, rival polar bears in size. Mature male Kodiak bears average 477 to 534 kilograms (1,052 to 1,177 pounds) and can weigh up to 680 kilograms (1,500 pounds). They typically measure around 2.44 meters (8 feet) in length and stand about 1.33 meters (4 feet 4 inches) at the shoulder on all fours.
On their hind legs, a large male Kodiak bear can reach up to 3 meters (9.8 feet) or over 3 meters (10 feet). The largest wild Kodiak bear recorded weighed 751 kilograms (1,656 pounds), while a captive individual reached 966 kilograms (2,130 pounds). While the polar bear holds the record for the largest species, individual Kodiak bears can sometimes exceed the average size of polar bears, contributing to the ongoing discussion.
Giants of Their Ecosystems: Habitat and Diet
The immense size of both polar bears and Kodiak bears is linked to their unique environments and abundant food sources. Polar bears inhabit the Arctic, relying on sea ice for hunting, travel, and breeding. Their diet consists mainly of seals, providing the high-fat blubber needed for the frigid Arctic climate. They are hypercarnivores, meaning their diet is almost exclusively meat.
Kodiak bears thrive in the rich ecosystems of the Kodiak Archipelago, where they have been geographically isolated for approximately 12,000 years. These islands offer a diverse omnivorous diet for their growth. Their primary food sources include abundant salmon during spawning seasons, which helps them accumulate significant fat reserves. They also consume vegetation such as grasses, roots, and berries, alongside other animal matter like marine invertebrates and carrion. This rich and varied diet allows Kodiak bears to reach their impressive dimensions.