Polar bears are the largest four-legged predator. But not everyone knows a lot about these exquisite creatures. In this article, we talk about basic polar bear info and answer the question “How Tall is a Polar Bear on its Hind Legs?”.
How Tall is a Polar Bear on its Hind Legs?
Male and female polar bears have differences in height and weight. The tallest polar bears are over 10 feet (3 meters) tall.
Male
According to Polar Bears International, most adult male polar bears (also called boars) are (10 feet) 3 meters tall when standing on their hind legs, and weigh 775 to more than 1,300 pounds.
Female
Adult female polar bears(also called sows) are typically half the size of boars and are usually 5 ft 11 in – 7 ft 10 in (1.8–2.4 meters) tall and weigh 330 to 650 pounds.
Why Do Polar Bears Stand On Their Hind Legs?
Polar bears stand on their hind legs because it allows them to smell or see better, especially when they’re hunting. Another reason why they stand on their hind legs (with heads wagging side to side) is when they want to play. Adult polar bears kind of play is ritualized fighting or mock battling.
But they usually walk on all fours because that way their weight is spread evenly. They also walk on all four legs when dragging big prey because their hind legs are tough and powerful.
How Tall is a Polar Bear when standing on all fours?
A polar bear’s height is usually measured by scientists from the shoulders when standing on all four legs. The average height of adult polar bears when on all fours is typically 3.3 to 5 feet (1 to 1.5 meters).
What is the Tallest Polar Bear Ever Recorded?
The largest polar bear on record, reportedly weighing 1,002 kg (2,209 lb), was a male shot at Kotzebue Sound in northwestern Alaska in 1960. This specimen, when mounted, stood 3.39 m (11 ft 1 in) tall on its hindlegs.
Polar Bear Height Comparison with Other Bears (Table)
| Type of Bear | Height on All Fours | Height on Hind Legs |
| Polar | 5 feet (1.5 meters) | 9 ft 8 inches (3 meters) |
| Grizzly | 5 feet (1.5 meters) | 8 ft 8 inches (2.7 meters) |
| Kodiak | 4 ft 3 inches (1.3 meters) | 7 ft 9 inches (2.4 meters) |
| Black | 3 feet (0.9 meters) | 6 ft 9 inches (2.1 meters) |
| Giant Panda | 3 feet (0.9 meters) | 5 ft 9 inches (1.8 meters) |
Conclusion
Now we’re informed about our giant furry friend from the North. Their lives depend solely on the ecosystem around their habitat so let’s be mindful of how to help preserve it.
Be prepared for all kinds of emergencies! These articles have helpful tips on survival and emergency preparation:
