Polar Bear vs Grizzly Bear
Quick answer
It is too close to call. The Polar Bear and the Grizzly Bear are evenly matched on paper, and in the wild the outcome would come down to size, surprise, and circumstance.
This is a hypothetical, educational comparison based on typical size, strength, and natural weaponry. In the wild these animals rarely meet, and most encounters end without a fight.
Mammal
Vulnerable
Mammal
Least ConcernEcology and habitat
Polar bears hunt Arctic sea ice; grizzlies occupy forests, tundra edges, and salmon streams. Climate-driven range overlap is increasing in northern Canada and Alaska, producing rare hybrid 'pizzly' bears.
Polar bears are longer, heavier on average, and adapted for taking seals on ice. Grizzlies are omnivorous powerhouse diggers. On land without ice advantage, mass and stamina often favour the polar bear; grizzlies are more flexible fighters on varied terrain.
Polar Bear vs Grizzly Bear compared
| Attribute | Polar Bear | Grizzly Bear |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 700 kg | 360 kg |
| Length | 3 m | 2 m |
| Top speed | 40 km/h | 56 km/h |
| Strength | 92/100 | 92/100 |
| Deadliness | 86/100 | 80/100 |
| Intelligence | 70/100 | 70/100 |
| Lifespan | 25 yr | 25 yr |
Polar Bear vs Grizzly Bear: common questions
Who would win in a fight, a Polar Bear or a Grizzly Bear?
It is too close to call. The Polar Bear and the Grizzly Bear are evenly matched on paper, and in the wild the outcome would come down to size, surprise, and circumstance. Polar bears are longer, heavier on average, and adapted for taking seals on ice. Grizzlies are omnivorous powerhouse diggers. On land without ice advantage, mass and stamina often favour the polar bear; grizzlies are more flexible fighters on varied terrain.
Which is bigger, the Polar Bear or the Grizzly Bear?
The Polar Bear is heavier, weighing around 700 kg compared with the other's 360 kg.
Which is faster, the Polar Bear or the Grizzly Bear?
The Grizzly Bear is faster, reaching about 56 km/h versus 40 km/h.
Which lives longer, the Polar Bear or the Grizzly Bear?
The Polar Bear typically lives longer, up to around 25 years compared with 25 years.
Who is bigger, polar bear or grizzly?
Adult male polar bears typically outweigh grizzlies, though exceptional interior grizzlies can approach similar mass.
Do polar and grizzly bears fight in the wild?
Occasional encounters occur where ranges meet; outcomes depend on size, hunger, and whether the polar bear still has ice-hunting condition.
Sources & references
Conservation status follows the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; size, weight, speed, and lifespan figures are drawn from Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology) and Nowak, Walker’s Mammals of the World (Johns Hopkins University Press), cross-checked against each species’ own guide. Compare full profiles for habitat, diet, and behaviour:
- Polar Bear — full guide
IUCN Red List (Vulnerable, Ursus maritimus)
- Grizzly Bear — full guide
IUCN Red List (Least Concern, Ursus arctos horribilis)
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Animal Diversity Web — University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
Life-history, morphology, and measurement data for Polar Bear and Grizzly Bear.
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Nowak, R. M. (1999). Walker’s Mammals of the World (6th ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press.
Standard reference for body size, weight, and life-span ranges.
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Global Animal Guide editorial standards
How we research, source, and review wildlife comparisons.
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