Polar bears are one of the largest bears – second only to Kodiak bears.
But where is the world’s largest polar bear?
Have scientists found the world’s largest polar bear in captivity or in the wild?
Largest Polar Bear on Record – The largest polar bear ever
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the adult male averages 385 to 410 kg (849 to 904 lb) in total body weight with a height of 133 cm (4 ft 4 in).
The Beaufort Sea population is thought to be slightly larger, with an estimated weight of 450 kg (992 lb).
Captive bears are usually larger than wild polar bears.
However, the largest polar bear ever found was a male in northwest Alaska.
It was killed in 1960 in Kotzebue Sound, leaving scientists to wonder if larger polar bears might exist there.
The largest polar bear weighed up to 1,002 kilograms (2,209 pounds), twice the weight of male bears living today.
The length of the world’s largest polar bear has been measured at 3.39 meters (11 ft 1 in), with shoulder height estimated at 122 to 160 cm (4 ft 0 in to 5 ft 3 in).
Scientists say that today’s polar bears are probably slightly smaller than those found in the 19th century.
Global climate change bears much of the blame.
Polar bears find it extremely difficult to hunt seals which are their main prey.
Climate change has also negatively affected the general lifespan of the polar bear.
The polar bear Ursus maritimus – Appearance/Morphology: Measurement and Weight (Literature Reports).
The polar bear Ursus maritimus – Appearance/Morphology: Measurement and Weight (Literature Reports).
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