Biggest Bear Ever

The biggest bear ever is a Kodiak bear that weighed over 2,500 lbs. But the species’ average weight is 500 to 900 lbs. The typical male polar bear on the other hand, weighs 900 to 1,500 lbs. The average adult male is 8 to 9.5 feet long. The heaviest on record weighs 2,210 lbs. That is why the polar bear is regarded as the largest bear.

Facts about the Polar Bear

It is the biggest land carnivore. It is double the size of the Siberian Tiger. Females weigh half the size of males. But pregnant females can weigh over 1,000 lb.

The polar bear is a creature that lives in the Arctic environment. Research shows that polar bears are all over the Arctic. It has also been established that at least 18 subpopulations exist.

The formal name of the animal is Ursus maritimus. These are predatory creatures. Their bodies are streamlined, making it easier for them to hunt.

Because they live in the Arctic, the biggest bear ever has developed several features to cope with the environment. This includes a layer of thick insulating blubber. The bear also has hollow translucent hairs that keep heat close to its skin.

Heat loss is also minimized by its small tail and ears. The polar bear also has big feet. This ensures uniform weight distribution. This makes it easy for the animal to traverse the snow and ice.

The Polar Bear’s Coat

Some people think that the bear’s coat is white. It is not; the coat, or hair, refracts light. The manner in which this is done makes it appear the coat is white. As polar bears get older, their coat turns yellow. This is due to staining. Some polar bears in captivity become green. This happens because algae affect their hair.

Diet

Polar bears feed on different animals. Majority of them eat walrus and seals. However, there also some that feed on birds and fish. The bears kill their prey with their legs. Once strike is usually enough to kill it.

Their large teeth make it easy to consume their prey. The average lifespan of polar bears is 20 years. If kept in captivity, the lifespan may be much longer.

Although the polar is considered to be the biggest bear ever, its population is being endangered by pollution, human activities and global warming. For this reason, there is now a worldwide effort to try and save these creatures.