However, not many people know just how much some species of bears can weigh
There are a lot of factors that determine a bear’s weight, but the average weight for most bears is between 250 and 500 pounds once the bear has reached maturity This number can fluctuate depending on the time of year and whether or not the bear is pregnant or preparing for hibernation
Some bears weigh much more or much less than this average, though
Some smaller species typically don’t weigh above 100 pounds, such as the Sun Bear
However, some larger species can easily exceed 1000 pounds, such as the Polar Bear
Below, we’ve highlighted 10 types of bears and how much they weigh so that you can get a better idea of the size of these creatures
110 Examples Of Adult Bear WeightsWhat Determines A Bear’s Weight?Largest Bears Ever RecordedHeaviest Black BearHeaviest Grizzly BearHeaviest Kodiak BearHeaviest Polar Bear
10 Examples Of Adult Bear Weights
Avg Male Weight
Avg Female Weight
Asiatic Black Bear
American Black Bear
What Determines A Bear’s Weight?
While it is possible to state a broad range for the weight of a bear, it isn’t a range that’s applicable to every type of bear throughout the entire year
There are several different factors that play into the weight of a bear, and all of them need to be considered when determining how much a bear weighs or what its potential weight is
Species –The largest determining factor for a bear’s weight is the species of that bear
A good amount of diversity exists in terms of sizing between bear species, so this will have a large impact on the overall weight of the bear
Smaller species that don’t need to be large and strong will typically weigh well under 300 pounds, but can even weigh less than 100 pounds in some cases
Larger species that either need extra size to hunt or extra skin and fat to stay warm can weigh well over 500 pounds, with some species approaching or exceeding 1000 pounds
Most bear cubs are born around 1 pound, but quickly start to grow and gain weight from there
Juvenile bears tend to still weigh under 100 pounds and really start to gain weight as they approach maturity
As bears become older and can no longer hunt as successfully, they may start to lose a little bit of weight; but typically nothing too drastic
Time of year -A bear’s weight fluctuates throughout the year, largely due to the fact that they hibernate
During the summer, bears will gorge themselves on carbohydrate-rich berries and other foods to bulk up and gain weight
Bears can put on as much as 30 pounds per week during their bulking period!
This can cause a bear to weigh several hundred pounds more right before hibernation
Additionally, after mating season, female bears will gain several hundred pounds if they’ve become pregnant
Female polar bears can double in weight during pregnancy!
While most bears will grow to be around the weights listed in the table above, there are going to be some outliers
Over the years, there have been some absolutely massive bears that have been recorded, weighing substantially more than the average weight for their species
Heaviest Black Bear
In 1976, a male American black bear was hunted in New Brunswick
It weighed 902 pounds after it was dressed, meaning that its estimated live weight was right around 1,100 pounds
It’s length from tail to nose was 79 feet, which is quite a substantial length for a black bear
The largest grizzly bear ever hunted was in 2014 in Lone Mountain, Alaska
This specimen stood about 9 feet tall and was estimated to weigh over 1,600 pounds
A larger skull was found much earlier in 1976, which could definitely have belonged to a bear weighing more than the 1,600 estimated pounds of the Lone Mountain grizzly
A captive kodiak bear named Clyde that lived at the Dakota Zoo weighed 2,130 pounds after his death in 1987
The zoo director estimated that Clyde actually weighed around 2,400 pounds a year earlier when he was more healthy
Even in death, though, Clyde had a fat layer that was 9 inches thick, resulting in him having quite a high weight for his size
Heaviest Polar Bear
The largest polar bear ever recorded, and subsequently the largest bear on record, was a 2,209 pound male that was hunted in 1960 at Kotzebue Sound, Alaska
This weight is twice what polar bears typically weigh, making this an insane specimen
When standing on its hind legs, this bear was able to stand over 11 feet tall
Belonging to the family Ursidae, bears are mammals that are widely distributed all over the world with the exception of Antarctica and Australia
These mammals are known for their exceptional sense of smell, big, sharp claws, and short tails
Their size ranges from four feet to eight feet long
On average, bears have a lifespan of 25 years in the wild, and 50 years in captivity
Currently, there are eight species of black bears that exist in this world
Polar Bear (Ursus Maritimus)Final WordsSource/s:
The smallest of all bear species, sun bears can be found in lowland forests of Southeast Asia, particularly in the countries of Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam
Like the sloth bear, sun bears are mostly insectivorous
Their ability to be amazing climbers allows them to forage on trees at night, feeding on insects, as well as rodents, lizards, small birds, berries, roots, and fruits
These bears have long claws which they use to dig on trees and search for prey
Being the smallest of all bear species, sun bears can only grow about half the size of an average North American Black Bear
Male sun bears weigh up to 150 pounds (6803 kg), while females are slightly lighter at 100 pounds (50 kg)
These bears’ small stature enables them to sleep on high platforms, usually on the branches of trees
In the wild, sun bears have a life expectancy of up to 25 years
The North American Black Bear is the most commonly found bear in North America
An omnivorous mammal, these bears’ diet consists of about 85% vegetables, grasses, roots, fruits, and berries
They also love to eat fish, carrion, insects, and other small vertebrates, but they’re not keen hunters
The North American Black Bear is a medium-sized bear
Males weigh from 130 to 660 pounds (60 to 300 kg), while females are lighter at 90 to 175 pounds (40 to 80 kg)
In the wild, black bears can live for 20 to 25 years
Although there are some black bears who exceed this average lifespan, most of them are not able to reach old age because they are hunted by humans
North American Black Bears are not dangerous to humans
Another pleasant quality of black bears is they like to get drunk
Depending on their subspecies, black bears may come in various colors, including white and cream for Spirit bear, and they may also be blue-gray, brown, cinnamon, or blue-black
Also referred to as the ‘Spectacled Bear’, the Andean bear is native, and can only be seen in the Andes Mountain region in South America, particularly in the countries of Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela
Due to habitat loss which leads to their decrease in population, these bears are considered endangered species
They are the last existing short-faced bear, and they belong to the vulnerable group which is why it is illegal to hunt and kill them
Andean Bears are the largest carnivores in their region
Despite this, these bears only eat 5% of meat in their total diet
A medium-sized bear, male Andean bears are usually three times larger than females, weighing around 220 to 440 pounds (100 – 200 kg), while females are lighter at 77 to 181 pounds (35 to 82 kg)
Both genders’ length ranges from 47 to 79 inches (120 – 200 cm)
Andean bears come in different colors, including almost black, jet black, dark brown, and reddish shade
Compared to other bear species, Andean bears have rounder faces and short snouts
The Andean bear’s lifespan in the wild is unknown
Sloth bears are found in Bhutan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka
They have stocky bodies, with long, shaggy, black fur
Sloth bears are nocturnal and insectivorous bears
Their long, curved, hook-like claws allow them to climb trees and search for termites and ants
Even from a long-distance, they can be heard digging up termites from trees
Aside from foraging insects, they also feed on honeycomb, and a few kinds of fruits, including wood apple, fig, ebony, jackfruit, and mangoes
In India, where they are native, sloth bears are also trained to be ‘dancing bears’
However, in the wild, these bears are very aggressive, and have the tendency to attack humans even when they’re not provoked
In terms of size, male sloth bears can weigh up to 310 pounds (14061 kg), while females are lighter at 210 pounds (9525 kg)
Both male and female sloth bears grow to about 6 feet (18288 cm) in length
In the wild, sloth bears can live for up to 20 years
While in captivity, they can live for up to 40 years
While in captivity, they can live for up to 40 years
Also known as the ‘Giant Panda’, or simple panda, panda bears are found in bamboo forests, rainy mountains of southwestern China
Pandas are considered one of the world’s rarest and most endangered mammals
Only about 1,500 to 2,000 pandas are known to survive in the wild
Like all bear species, the giant panda’s digestive system is designed to eat both vegetables and meat
However, panda almost only eat bamboo
Since they don’t get enough energy with their diet, pandas tend to move very little
Pandas are known for their black-and-white fur
They are medium-sized bears with males having an average weight of 350 pounds (160 kg), while females are lighter than males at 150 to 276 pounds (70 to 125 kg)
In the wild, giant pandas can live for up to 20 years, while in captivity, they are known to live for up to 30 years
Also called Moon Bear or Himalayan Black Bear, Asiatic Black Bears are found in countries located in eastern Asia, including Afghanistan, China, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Bhutan, Japan, Iran, North Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Myanmar, Mongolia, Russia, Pakistan, Vietnam, and Taiwan
These bears have long, black fur and a unique white patch on the chest
Asiatic Black Bears are omnivores, although they consume more vegetable matter than meat, including grasses, fruits, vegetables, berries, seeds, and honey
They also eat small mammals, birds, mollusks, carcasses, fish, and seafood
In fall, these bears will also feed on insects, bugs, and nuts
Asiatic Black Bears are medium-sized bears with an average height of 45 to 54 feet (13716 to 16459 cm), and a weight of 198 to 254 pounds (8981 to 11521 kg)
Males are usually bigger and heavier than females, reaching up to 400 pounds (18143 kg)
These bears have an average life span of 25 to 30 years in the wild, while they can live up to 35 years in captivity
Brown Bears are commonly found in Alaska, western Canada, and some areas of Washington, Wyoming, and Montana
Small populations of this species can also be found in some parts of Asia and Europe
Brown bears are omnivores who eat almost anything that they encounter, as long as it is edible
In general, 90% of a brown bear’s diet consists of vegetation, including fruits, vegetables, berries, flowers, grasses, roots, bulbs, and even fungi, such as mushrooms
Meanwhile, those brown bears who live in coastal regions may eat clams, crab, and other seafood
During summer and fall, they will also eat bugs, insects, and other animal matters, including beehives
Like black bears, brown bears also come in various colors, including black, different shades of brown, and blonde
Depending on the subspecies, on the geographic location, and on the availability of food, a brown bear’s size may vary greatly from very large size to smaller sizes
On average, male brown bears weigh 478 pounds (217 kg), while females weigh 335 pounds (152 kg )
The “Big Browns,” or the largest variety of this bear species is found along the coast of Alaska and in Russia
The big bears, which reach up to 1,500 pounds (700 kg), are now scarce
Some subspecies of brown bears include Himalayan Red Bear – a bear with a cinnamon-colored coat, Grizzly Bear – an endangered North American subspecies of brown bear, and Kodiak Bear – the largest subspecies of brown bears
In the wild, brown bears have an average life span of 25 to 30 years
8 Polar Bear (Ursus Maritimus)
The largest bear in the world, Polar Bears are found in the Arctic, but not in Antarctica
Living in one of the world’s coldest regions, polar bears protect themselves from the extreme weather through their thick, insulated coats
Beneath the polar bear’s white coat is black skin
On average, female polar bears reach a height of 6 to 8 feet (18288 to 24384 cm), and a weight of 330 to 650 pounds (14968 to 29483 kg)
On the other hand, male polar bears reach an average height of 8 to 10 feet (24384 to 3048 cm), with weight ranging from 550 to 1,700 pounds (24947 to 77110 kg)
Usually, male polar bears are two to three times larger than females
Polar bears typically forage seals by lunging on them from ice sheets
Polar bears have an outstanding sense of smell that they can even smell a seal that is one mile away
Like brown bears, polar bears can live from 25 to 30 years in the wild
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), six of the eight species of bears are considered vulnerable, or endangered, with the exception of black and brown bears
https://bearwithusorg/8-bears-of-the-world/https://wwwpopscicom/science/gallery/2013-06/bear-species-order-quality/https://wwwnationalgeographiccom/animals/mammals/facts/bears-grizzly-polar-pandahttps://wwwworldatlascom/articles/how-many-types-of-bears-are-therehtmlhttps://wwwnationalgeographiccom/animals/mammals/facts/grizzly-bearhttps://wwwnationalgeographiccom/animals/mammals/facts/sun-bearhttps://wwwnationalgeographiccom/animals/mammals/facts/sloth-bearhttps://wwwnationalgeographiccom/animals/mammals/facts/polar-bearhttps://wwwbearbiologyorg/bear-species/american-black-bear/https://enwikipediaorg/wiki/Brown_bear#Dietary_habitshttps://wwwpbsorg/wnet/nature/blog/polar-bear-fact-sheet/https://wwwanimallawinfo/article/biological-information-asiatic-black-bearhttp://wwwbearsoftheworldnet/sloth_bearsasphttps://enwikipediaorg/wiki/Giant_panda#Descriptionhttps://animalsmomcom/list-endangered-bears-3461html
Contents show 1 Bear Weight Comparison Table 2 Polar Bear Weight 3 Grizzly Bear Weight 4 Kodiak Bear Weight 5 Brown Bear Weight 6 American Black Bear Weight 7 Andean Bear Weight 8 Asiatic Black Bear Weight 9 Sun Bear Weight 10 Sloth Bear Weight 11 Panda Bear Weight Bear Weight Comparison TableBear Size Male Female Baby Polar Bear Weight: 85 and 125 kilograms (190 and 275 pounds) Height: 8-10 feet in lengthWeight: 70 and 100 kilograms (155 to 220 pounds)Height: 6-8 feet in lengthweight: 16 to 24 ounces (454 to 680 grams), Length: 12 inches (30 cm) Grizzly Bear Weight:180-360 kg (400–790 lb), Height: 198 cm (78 in) and 240 cm (94 in)Weight: 130-180 kg (290-400 lb)Height: 198 cm (78 in) and 240 cm (94 in)Weight:500 grams (11 lb)Kodiak Bear Weight: 477-534 kg (1,052-1,177 lb)Height: 8 to 10 ftWeight:181 to 318 kg (399 to 701 lb),Height: 6 ft 5 inch to 7 ft 4 inchWeight:less than one poundOther Brown Bears Weight:135 to 390 kilograms (300 to 860 pounds) Height: 5 to 9 feetWeight: 95 to 205 kilograms (205 to 455 pounds)Height: 5 to 7 feetWeight:1 pound (45 kg) American Black BearWeight: 60 and 300 kg (130 to 660 pounds)Height: 130 and 190 centimetres (50 and 75 inches) Weight: 90 to 175 pounds (40 to 80 kilograms)Height: 130 to 190 cm (50 to 75 inches)Weight: 225 to 330 grams at birth (7 to 11 ounces)Andean Bear Weight: 100 and 200 kg (220 and 440 lb),Height: 150 to 180 centimetres (60 to 72 inches)Weight: 35 and 82 kg (77 to 181 lb)Height: 120 to 180 cm (47 to 72 in)Weight:10 to 18 ounces (284 to 510 grams)Asiatic Black Bear Weight: 60 and 200 kg (130 and 440 lb),Height: 120-190 cm (47-75 in)Weight: 40-125 kg (88-276 lb)Height: 120-190 cm (47-75 in)Weight:12-14 ouncesSun Bear Weight: 88 and 155 lb (40 and 70 kg),Height: 55 to 60 inches Weight: 55 and 110 lb (25 to 50 kg)Height: 48 to 53 inchesWeight: 99 and 115 ouncesSloth Bear Weight:176 to 320 lb (80 to 145 kg) Height: 4 ft 7 in – 6 ft 3 in, in length (14-19 m)Weight:121 to 231 lb (55 to 105 kgHeight: 4 ft 7 in – 6 ft 3 in, in length (14-19 m)Weight:105-175 ounces (300 – 500 g)Panda BearWeight:85 and 125 kilograms (190 and 275 pounds) Weight:70 and 100 kilograms (155 to 220 pounds) Weight: 3 to 5 ouncesPolar Bear WeightPolar bears are undoubtedly the largest bear to exist across the world
In addition to this, they are also the largest terrestrial carnivore mammals to live on Earth
So, how big is a polar bear?
Polar bear males usually weigh between 772 to 1543 pounds (350 – 700 kgs)Furthermore, polar bears are one of the most sexually dimorphic animals
Male polar bears weigh between 772 and 1543 pounds when they are fully mature (350 – 700 kg)
Most male polar bears, known as boars, acquire this weight by the age of 10 years
The largest male polar bear ever recorded weighed 2209 pounds (1002 kg)
Female polar bears, on the other hand, are known as sows
They are significantly lighter than their male counterparts, weighing between 331 and 551 pounds, roughly half as much as the male polar bear’s weight (150 – 250 kg)
The largest sow ever weighed around 573 pounds (260 kg), however, this is quite rare and uncommonComing to their baby weight, these gigantic creatures weigh astonishingly light during their early life
You will be surprised to know that an average polar bear cub weighs only 15 pounds at their birth
The babies of these giants generally weigh even less than an average new born of humansGrizzly Bear WeightThe grizzly bear is a brown bear subspecies that is native to North West North America
This is a huge animal that frequently weighs over 1300 pounds
Generally, females are 20% to 30% smaller than males
Mature male grizzlies often weigh 180-360 kg (400–790 lb), whereas adult females typically weigh 130-180 kg (290-400 lb)
But sometimes, a massive male grizzly has been observed to be far larger than average, weighing up to 680 kg (1,500 lb)
Overall, the average length and weight of a large adult grizzly are around 8 feet (25 meters) and 900 pounds (410 kg), respectivelyComing to the weight of grizzly cubs, compared to how large they get to be, grizzly cubs are fairly tiny
Newborn grizzly bears may weigh even less than 500 grams (11 lb)
They weigh around 6 pounds at the age of six months
1Kodiak Bear WeightKodiak bears are a distinct subspecies of brown and grizzly bears
When it comes to size, Kodiak bears are a close contender to the world’s largest bear
A huge male Kodiak bear may reach heights of almost 10 feet while standing on its hind legs and 5 feet when standing upright
They may be as heavy as 1,500 pounds
Additionally, like their cousins, the grizzly bear females of this subspecies are 30% lighter and 20% smaller than their male counterpartsThe Female Kodiak bears range in size from 181 to 318 kg (399 to 701 lb), while males average between 477-534 kg (1,052-1,177 lb), however, they may weigh up to 680 kg (1,500 lb) at some instances
Furthermore, males can reach up to the height of 244 cm (8 ft 0 in) long and 133 cm (4 ft 4 in) tall at the shoulder, and females range from a height of 3 ft 4 inch to 4 ft with a Length of about 6 ft 5 inch to 7 ft 4 inch
The heaviest Kodiak bear ever reported weighed 2130 lbs and was about 9 ft tallThe Kodiak bear cubs are born weighing less than one pound with minimal fur and closed eyes
They nurse for several months eventually emerging from the den weighing 15-20 pounds at around 5 months
During the initial year, a Kodiak bear cub’s weight doubles every two months under standard circumstancesBrown Bear WeightThe brown bear (Ursus arctos) is a large bear native to Eurasia and North AmericaThe size and weight of this bear, however, varies considerably throughout populations
Moreover, brown bears are the most varied in size among modern bears
Male adult brown bears typically weigh 135 to 390 kilograms (300 to 860 pounds), whereas females average 95 to 205 kilograms (205 to 455 pounds)
Brown bears, like all other bear species, are sexually dimorphic, with males being 38 to 50 percent bigger than femalesBrown bears are incredibly small when they are born
These cubs weigh only around 1 pound (45 kg) after birth
This seems to be tiny in comparison to the mother bear, which may weigh up to 400 pounds
Brown bear cubs are somewhere around one-third and one-tenth the size anticipated for female mammals of equal size
Additionally, they emerge out of dens by the time they’re 6 months old, weighing about 6 poundsAmerican Black Bear WeightThe black bear is a robust and stocky bear
They are classified as medium-sized bears and are exclusively found in North America
Furthermore, the weight of an American black bear varies according to age, gender, health, and season
Generally, Adult male black bears measure between 130 and 190 centimeters (50 and 75 inches) in length and weigh between 60 and 300 kg (130 to 660 pounds)
Females range in height from 130 to 190 cm (50 to 75 inches) and weigh approx 90 to 175 pounds (40 to 80 kilograms)
These bear species are likewise sexually dimorphic, with males weighing around 20 to 60% larger than femalesComing to the weight of American Black baby Bear, these cubs are born weighing just around 225 to 330 grams at birth (7 to 11 ounces)
The Black bear pups, like other bear species, are exceptionally small and vulnerable after birth
Furthermore, American bear cubs start to emerge from the comfort of their den when they are around 4 months old weighing about 5 pounds
They reach their mature weight at around 4 to 5 years oldAndean Bear WeightThe Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus), sometimes known as the spectacled bear, is a solitary bear species native to South America and one of the smallest in the Ursidae family
There are limited weight measurements known for this bear
The Adult Andean bear’s body lengths range from 150 to 180 centimeters (60 to 72 inches)
Males may weigh between 100 and 200 kg (220 and 440 lb), while females can weigh between 35 and 82 kg (77 to 181 lb)
Furthermore, their head-and-body length can range from 120 to 200 cm (47 to 785 in), with adult males measuring no less than 150 cm (59 in)
With males being 30 to 40% bigger than females these bears are significantly dimorphic in gendersComing to the weight of the Andean bear baby; at birth, the Baby Spectacled Bear or Andean bear weighs just 10 to 18 ounces (284 to 510 grams)
These cubs do not open their eyes and leave their dens until they are around 3 and 4 months oldAsiatic Black Bear WeightThe Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus) is a medium-sized bear species native to Asia
It is also known as the Asiatic black bear, moon bear, and white-chested bear
Average Adult Asian black bears are 70-100 cm (28-39 in) high and 120-190 cm (47-75 in) in length
Adult males weigh between 60 and 200 kg (130 and 440 lb), with an average weight of around 135 kg (298 lb)
Adult females, on the other hand, weigh 40-125 kg (88-276 lb), with huge ones weighing up to 140 kg (310 lb)
Furthermore, Asian black bears are built similarly to brown bears (Ursus arctos) but are lighter and more slender-bodiedWhen it comes to newborn weight, Asian black bear cubs, which are frequently twins, are born weighing roughly 12-14 oz in a winter denSun Bear WeightThe sun bear is not only the smallest bear in the world but also the lightest of all bear species
It weighs between just 59 and 143 pounds (27 to 65 kg)
Male and female sun bears are different in size
Generally, the male sun bears are heavier weighing between 88 and 155 lb (40 and 70 kg), and female sun bears are lighter weighing between 55 and 110 lb (25 to 50 kg)
Furthermore, their head-and-body length ranges from 48 to 60 inches (120 to 150 cm), with a shoulder height of roughly 28 inches (70 centimeters)Newborn sun bear cubs are hairless and blind
They are extremely small weighing between 99 and 115 ounces
Throughout their childhood, they are completely dependent on their mother for careSloth Bear WeightSloth bears are medium-sized bears with stocky bodies and powerful legs
The maximum weight for a male sloth bear is 320 pounds, while the maximum weight for a female is 231 poundsAlthough, their typical weight ranges from 176 to 320 lb (80 to 145 kg) for males and 121 to 231 lb (55 to 105 kg) for females
However, exceptionally large males and females can weigh up to 423 lb (192 kg) and 273 lb (124 kg), respectivelyThe sloth bear newborn is extremely small and blind
Coming to the weight of baby Sloth bears, these cubs are born with an average birth weight of 105-175 ounces (300 – 500 g)Panda Bear WeightPanda bears have the stocky physique of a regular bear
Healthy giant pandas have body lengths ranging from 160 to 190 cm (64 to 76 inches)
Male pandas, like other bear species, are somewhat longer than females, have stronger forelegs, and are 10 to 20% heavierMale pandas in the wild weigh between 85 and 125 kilograms (190 and 275 pounds), while females weigh between 70 and 100 kilograms (155 to 220 pounds)Baby Pandas are born weak and undeveloped
Newborn pandas weigh between 3 to 5 ounces, although they gain weight rapidly while developing
Baby pandas are about 1/900th the size of their mother
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