Although movies and television often portray them as cute and lovable, few animals can be more intimidating than bears. Although they come in all shapes and sizes, all eight existing bear species have excellent survival skills. Bears can live in harsh environments and defeat the harshest animals on the planet. Their strong carcasses allow them to bludgeon prey into submission, and their jaws can bite with enough force to crush a bowling ball. They will eat almost anything that falls under their claws, including their own kind.
Many bears boast incredible strength and size, but which one is the largest? It is important to consider parameters such as weight to determine which species overshadows all others. The tallest examples rise above anyone and can weigh as much as a classic compact car, but some are much smaller. Comparing them from head to toe, it’s easy to see which bear stands above the rest. Here is a list of the ten largest bears in the world.
# 10: Sloth Bear
Longer than brown and black bears, sloth bear (Information system) is distinguished by a shaggy mane and sickle-shaped claws. The average female can range from 121 to 231 pounds, while the average male weighs 176 to 320 pounds. However, oddly sized sloth bears can weigh up to 423 pounds. Their height ranges from 4’7 “to 6’3” in height.
Sloth bears are native to the Indian subcontinent and are common in India, Sri Lanka and Nepal. Classic omnivores, they feed mainly on fruits, termites and ants. Sloth bears, also known as “spongy bears”, use their long lower lip to eat insects. Meanwhile, their curved claws are perfect for digging out delicious treats. Due to habitat loss and environmental degradation, the IUCN classifies the sloth bear as a vulnerable species.
# 9: Asian Black Bear
Also known as the moon bear or white-chested bear, the Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) is most recognizable due to the V-shaped white mark on the chest. Slimmer and lighter than brown bears, male Asian black bears weigh around 130-440 pounds. Females of this species weigh between 88 and 276 pounds. They range in length from 3’11 “to 6’4”.
Native to the Himalayas, Asiatic black bears are also found in other parts of each. Additional habitats include the Indian Subcontinent, southern Iran, the Korean Peninsula, eastern Russia, northern Japan, and Taiwan. They love to spend their waking hours in trees, but prefer to hibernate in caves or hollowed-out tree trunks. Their diet consists of insects, fruits, nuts, mushrooms, honey, and grains. The Asian black bear is currently classified as a vulnerable species by the IUCN. Its main threats include habitat loss and poaching.
# 8: Spectacled Bear
Spectacled bear (Tremarctos jewelry) is the last remaining short-faced bear species in the world. Spectacled bears, also known as the Andean bears or mountain bear, get their name from the splash of pale markings on the face and chest. Male spectacled bears typically weigh between 220 and 440 pounds, while females weigh between 77 and 181 pounds. The most massive spectacled bears can weigh approximately 491 pounds. They range in length from 3 feet 11 inches to 6 feet and 5 inches long from head to head. finger on the leg.
Spectacled bears remain the only surviving bear species found in South America. They range from Venezuela to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina. However, they can be 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, fruits and palm leaves, but they also prey on deer, llamas, cattle and small rodents. The spectacled bear is classified by the IUCN as a vulnerable species, primarily due to habitat loss.
# 7: American black bear
American black bear (American bear) is the tiniest and most widespread bear in North America. They usually grow to 3 feet 11 inches and 6 feet 7 inches in height, but can grow to be much larger. Male American black bears typically weigh between 126 and 551 pounds, while females typically weigh between 90 and 375 pounds. However, one huge American black bear measured from 1,000 pounds and was nearly 8 feet long!
Although their name implies a dark color, American black bears can also be brown or even pale. They are common throughout the northwest and northeastern United States, around the Great Lakes region, throughout Canada and Alaska. American black bears feed mainly on vegetation, including fruits, nuts, and young grasses. Their diet also includes insects, white-tailed deer, young elk and elk and fish. Due to its wide distribution and stable population, the American black bear is listed as the species of Least Concern by the IUCN.
# 6: Eurasian brown bear
Also known as the European brown bear or common bear, the Eurasian brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos) is one of the most common subspecies of the brown bear. Adult males usually weigh 550 to 660 pounds and adult females 330 to 550 pounds. However, some Eurasian brown bears can grow up to 1058 pounds and reach almost 8 feet 3 inches in height.
Eurasian brown bears existed throughout Eurasia. Today, their range is limited mainly to Northern and Eastern Europe, Russia, the Baltic countries and the Balkans. However, isolated populations still exist in Spain, Italy, France, Southwest Asia, China and Japan. The diet of Eurasian brown bears consists of roots, berries, nuts, insects and fish. They are also known to attack livestock and hunt small and large mammals. They are currently listed as a Least Concern species by the IUCN, although some have questioned their status due to declining populations in several regions.
# 5: grizzly bear
One of the most famous subspecies of brown bears, the grizzly bear (Ursus) gets its name from its intimidating appearance. The average grizzly is about 6 feet 5 inches long, but can range from 3 feet, 6 inches to 9 feet in length. Adult male grizzlies often weigh 400 to 790 pounds and females 290 to 400 pounds. Coastal grizzlies, however, average around 899 pounds and can exceed 1,000 pounds in their most severe condition.
Historically, grizzly bears have extended across much 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 moose, deer, bison, elk, and caribou. Populations with access to salmon, trout and perch may become particularly large, such as grizzlies in Alaska and British Columbia. The grizzly bear is listed as critically endangered in the United States of America and critically endangered in Canada by the IUCN.
# 4: Ussuri brown bear
A close relative of the Eurasian brown bear, the Ussuri brown bear (Ursus arctos lasiotus) is also known as the grizzly black bear or the Ezo brown bear. In appearance it is similar to the Kamchatka brown bear, but has a narrower skull and shorter forehead. Male Ussuri brown bears average 880 pounds and can grow up to 1210 pounds. They are usually 6 to 9 feet long.
Ussuri brown bears are mainly found in eastern Russia and the adjacent islands, on the Korean Peninsula, in northeastern China and northern Japan. Their diet consists mainly of plants, including grass shoots, sap, seeds, nuts, and berries. However, they will also hunt and consume small and large mammals, birds, fish and insects. Depending on the region, the populations of the Ussuri brown bears can be classified as stable or endangered. Overall, the IUCN classifies them as the Least Concern species.
# 3: Kamchatka brown bear
Kamchatka brown bear (Ursus arctos beringianus) is the largest subspecies of brown bears in Eurasia. The heaviest Kamchatka brown bears can weigh up to 1,430 pounds, although the average weight varies with the season. When standing on their hind legs, they are 7’11 “to 9’9” tall. Although it is usually a dark brown color, lighter shades exist in the wild.
Kamchatka brown bears get their name from the Kamchatka Peninsula, where most of their population lives. However, they are often found on the Karaginsky island, the Kuril, Shantar islands and the island of St. Lawrence. Their diet mainly consists of berries, nuts, fish such as salmon and trout, and marine mammals. Around 10,000-15,000 Kamchatka brown bears live in the wild, prompting the IUCN to include them as a species of least concern.
# 2: Kodiak Bear
The largest subspecies of brown bear is the Kodiak bear (Ursus arctos middendorffic) is second only in size to a polar bear. Also known as the Alaskan brown bear, it is similar in appearance to other brown bears in terms of size and location. Adult Kodiak bears often weigh between 660 and 1,320 pounds, while the most massive wild bear in history weighed 1,656 pounds. In an upright position, they can grow from 8 feet to 9 feet 10 inches in height. However, captive Kodiak bears can weigh up to 2,130 pounds and reach almost 11 feet in height.
Kodiak bears are native to the Kodiak archipelago. The archipelago is the only place in the world where Kodiak bears live, and it is also the source of their name. Their diet includes a variety of local foods, including berries, seaweed, coastal invertebrates and salmon. The population of Kodiak bears is estimated to be over 3,000 and the number of bears is slowly increasing. Kodiak is currently listed as a Least Concern species by the IUCN.
# 1: Polar bear
Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is the largest bear species in the world and same the largest living land predatory animal. Male polar bears weigh 770-1500 pounds, while females usually weigh 330-550 pounds, although they can easily gain 1,100 pounds during pregnancy. Typical height for males ranges from 7’10 “to 9’10” and for females between 5’11 “and 7’10”. However, the largest polestar in history weighed 2,209 pounds and was 11 feet 1 inches high.
Polar bears live in the Arctic Circle, but also roam the northern reaches of Greenland, Canada, Russia, Alaska and Norway. Their scientific name translates to sea bear, which indicates their ability to swim long distances in icy water. They rely on meat more than any other species of bears, as their diet mainly consists of seals, but they also prey on walruses, small whales and fish. The world population of polar bears is estimated to be between 20,000 and 30,000. Due to the threat of climate change, pollution and other anthropogenic impacts, the IUCN classifies polar bears as vulnerable species.