Size & Appearance

Polar Bears are the world's largest land carnivore. Tipping the scale anywhere between 772 and 1,433 pounds on average, male polar bears can grow two to three times larger than females. At 8.2 - 9.8 feet long, male polar bears are comparable to a small car. The largest polar bear ever recorded was a male weighing 2,209 pounds (thatäs more than two tons), and measuring twelve feet long.

The Polar bear is the only bear considered a marine animal. Its paws, up to twelve inches in diameter, are webbed to assist in swimming. Its fur consists of two layers. The bottom layer provides warmth, while the top, consisting of hollow, bristly hairs that stand out from the body, aids buoyancy. It is believed that the polar bear's blubber also serves a dual purpose, insulating the bear from the cold while simultaneously acting like a giant life preserver, keeping the bear afloat.