Discover the 10 largest bears in the world

key point:

• A bear's bite is strong enough to crush a bowling ball.
• The polar bear ( Ursus maritimus ) is the largest bear species in the world and the largest living land carnivore.
• Male polar bears weigh between 770-1500 lbs. The second-ranked Kodiak bear usually weighs between 660-1320 pounds.

While movies and television often portray them as cute and cuddly animals, few animals are more intimidating than bears. Although they come in all shapes and sizes, all eight living species of bears have excellent survival skills. Bears can live in harsh environments and outwit some of the fiercest animals on Earth. Their muscular build allows them to bring their prey into submission with a large club, and their jaws can bite down on a bowling ball with enough force. They will eat just about anything they can get their claws on, including their own kind.

Many bears possess incredible strength and size, but what is the largest bear species among them? Measurements such as weight must be considered to determine which species dwarfs all others. The tallest specimens are taller than anyone and weigh as much as a classic compact car, but some species are much smaller in size. By comparing them head to toe, it's easy to see which bear is taller than the others. Here is a list of the top ten bears in the world.

#10: Lazy Bear

We'll examine the first bear to answer the question "What's the biggest bear?" It is a gentle-looking mammal. Sloth bear ( Melursus ursinus ), which is more lanky than brown and black bears, is distinguished by its shaggy mane and sickle-shaped claws. The average weight of a female sloth bear is between 121-231 pounds, while the average weight of a male sloth bear is between 176-320 pounds. However, unusually sized sloth bears can weigh up to 423 pounds. They stand between 4'7" and 6'3" tall.

The sloth bear is native to the Indian subcontinent and is found in India, Sri Lanka and Nepal. Typical omnivores feed mainly on fruit, termites and ants. Also known as the "lipped bear," the sloth bear uses its long lower lip to suck insects. At the same time, their curved claws are perfect for scooping up tasty treats. The IUCN lists sloth bears as Vulnerable due to habitat loss and environmental degradation.

#9: Asian Black Bear

Next on our list of the largest bear species is the Asiatic black bear ( Ursus thibetanus ). Also known as moon bears or white-breasted bears, they are most easily identified by a white V-shaped mark on their chest. Male Asiatic black bears are slender and lighter than brown bears, weighing about 130-440 lbs. Females of this species weigh between 88-276 lbs. They range in length from 3 feet 11 inches to 6 feet 4 inches.

Asian black bears are native to the Himalayas and can also be found elsewhere in every region. Other habitats include the Indian subcontinent, southern Iran, the Korean peninsula, eastern Russia, northern Japan, and Taiwan. They prefer to spend their waking hours in trees, but prefer to hibernate in burrows or hollowed out tree trunks. Their diet consists of insects, fruits, nuts, mushrooms, honey and grains. Currently, the IUCN lists the Asiatic black bear as a vulnerable species. Its main threats include habitat loss and poaching.

#8: Spectacled Bear

The spectacled bear ( Tremarctos ornatus ) is the only remaining short-faced bear species in the world. Also known as Andean bears or mountain bears, spectacled bears get their name from the pale markings on their faces and chests. Male spectacled bears typically weigh between 220-440 pounds and females 77-181 pounds. The largest spectacled bear weighed about 491 pounds. They measure between 3 feet, 11 inches, and 6 feet in length, measuring 5 inches from head to toe.

The spectacled bear remains the only surviving species of bear native to South America. They range from Venezuela to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina. However, they are found almost exclusively in the Andes. Like black and sun bears, spectacled bears spend most of their time in trees. Their diet includes cacti, nuts, bamboo hearts, fruit, and palm fronds, but they also prey on deer, llamas, cattle, and small rodents. The IUCN lists the spectacled bear as Vulnerable, mainly because of habitat loss.

#7: American Black Bear

The American black bear ( Ursus americanus ) is the smallest and most common bear in North America. Typically, they stand between 3'11" and 6'7" in height, but can grow much larger. Male American black bears usually weigh between 126-551 pounds, while females typically weigh between 90-375 pounds. However, a giant American black bear weighs 1,000 pounds and is nearly 8 feet long!

Although their name suggests a dark color, American black bears can also be brown or even blond. They are found in the northwestern and northeastern United States, around the Great Lakes region, and throughout Canada and Alaska. American black bears live primarily on vegetation, including fruit, nuts, and young grass shoots. Their diet also includes insects, white-tailed deer, young elk and moose, and fish. Due to its wide distribution and stable population, the American black bear is listed as a species of least concern by the IUCN.

#6: Eurasian Brown Bear

The Eurasian brown bear ( Ursus arctos arctos ), also known as the European brown bear or common bear, is one of the most common subspecies of brown bears. Adult male brown bears typically weigh between 550-660 pounds, while adult female brown bears weigh between 330-550 pounds. That said, some Eurasian brown bears can grow to 1,058 pounds and stand nearly 8 feet 3 inches tall.

Eurasian brown bears once existed throughout Eurasia. Today, their range of activity is mostly limited to Northern and Eastern Europe, Russia, the Baltic States and the Balkans. However, isolated populations still exist in Spain, Italy, France, Southwest Asia, China and Japan. The diet of the Eurasian brown bear consists of roots, berries, nuts, insects and fish. They are also known to attack livestock and hunt small and large mammals. The IUCN currently lists them as a species of least concern, although some have questioned their status due to population declines in some areas.

#5: Grizzly

The grizzly bear ( Ursus arctos horribilis ) is one of the most famous brown bear subspecies, named for its fearsome appearance. Grizzlies average about 6 feet 5 inches long, but come in sizes of 3 feet, 6 inches and 9 feet. Adult male grizzly bears typically weigh between 400-790 pounds, while female grizzlies range from 290-400 pounds. However, the average weight of a coastal grizzly is about 899 pounds and can reach over 1,000 pounds at its heaviest.

Historically, the Grizzlies have held territory across most of North America. Today, their range is limited to the northwestern United States, Alaska, and western and northern Canada. Grizzlies often prey on large animals, including elk, deer, bison, moose, and caribou. Stocks with access to salmon, trout and bass can grow particularly large, such as grizzlies in Alaska and British Columbia. Grizzlies are listed as threatened in the contiguous United States by the IUCN and endangered in Canada.

#4: Ussuri Brown Bear

The Ursus arctos lasiotus is a close relative of the Eurasian brown bear, also known as the black grizzly or Ezo brown bear. It is similar in appearance to the Kamchatka brown bear, but with a narrower skull and shorter forehead. Male Ussuri brown bears weigh an average of 880 pounds and can reach a maximum of 1,210 pounds. They are usually 6-9 feet in length.

Ussuri brown bears mainly live in eastern Russia and its surrounding islands, the Korean peninsula, northeastern China and northern Japan. Their diet consists mainly of plants, including grass shoots, sap, seeds, nuts, and berries. However, they also prey on small and large mammals, birds, fish and insects. Depending on the region, Ussuri brown bear populations can be listed as stable or threatened. Overall, the IUCN ranks them as a species of least concern.

#3: Kamchatka Brown Bear

The Kamchatka brown bear ( Ursus arctos beringianus ) is the largest subspecies of brown bear in Eurasia. The heaviest Kamchatka brown bear can weigh up to 1,430 pounds, but average weight varies seasonally. They range in height from 7'11" to 9'9" when standing on their hind legs. Although usually dark brown in appearance, lighter shades do exist in the wild.

The Kamchatka brown bear gets its name from the Kamchatka peninsula, which is home to most of its population. However, sightings are frequent on Karaginski Island, the Kuril Islands, the Chantal Islands and St. Lawrence Island. Their diet consists mainly of berries, nuts, fish such as salmon and trout, and marine mammals. There are approximately 10,000-15,000 Kamchatka brown bears living in the wild, prompting the IUCN to list them as a species of least concern.

#2: Kodiak Bear

On our list of the biggest bears, this bear is a real heavyweight. The Kodiak bear (Ursus arctos middendorffi) is the largest subspecies of the brown bear, second only to the polar bear in size. Also known as the Alaskan brown bear, it is similar in appearance to other brown bears, distinguished by its size and position. Adult Kodiak bears typically weigh between 660-1320 pounds, with the largest wild bear ever recorded weighing 1,656 pounds. They can vary in height from 8 feet to 9 feet and 10 inches tall when standing upright. However, Kodiak bears in captivity can weigh up to 2,130 pounds and stand nearly 11 feet tall.

Kodiak bears are native to the Kodiak Islands. The archipelago is the only place in the world where Kodiak bears live and is where they get their name from. Their diet consists of a variety of local foods, including berries, seaweed, beach-dwelling invertebrates, and salmon. The Kodiak bear population is estimated at more than 3,000 and is slowly increasing. The IUCN currently lists the Kodiak bear as a species of least concern.

#1: Polar Bear

The polar bear ( Ursus maritimus ) is the largest bear species in the world and the largest living land carnivore. Male polar bears weigh between 770-1500 pounds, while female polar bears typically weigh 330-550 pounds, although they can easily reach 1100 pounds when pregnant. Typical height for men is between 7'10" and 9'10" and for women between 5'11" and 7'10". That said, the largest polar animal ever recorded weighed 2,209 pounds and stood 11 feet 1 inch tall.

Polar bears range within the Arctic Circle, but also roam the northern regions of Greenland, Canada, Russia, Alaska, and Norway. Their scientific name translates to sea bear, implying their ability to swim long distances in icy water. The largest members of the bear family depend on meat more than any of their other relatives because their diet consists mainly of seals, but they also eat walruses, small whales and fish. The global polar bear population is estimated to be between 20,000 and 30,000. The IUCN lists polar bears as Vulnerable due to threats from climate change, pollution and other human impacts.

Summary of discovering the world's 10 largest bears

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