Head to head
Polar Bear vs Brown Bear
The polar bear evolved from brown bears — the group that includes the grizzly — only a few hundred thousand years ago, and the two are still close enough to interbreed. But a life on sea ice has reshaped the polar bear in ways that are easy to spot.
| Polar Bear | Brown Bear | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight (male) | 350–600 kg, some larger | 130–360 kg; coastal/Kodiak bears to 680 kg |
| Diet | Almost entirely seals | Omnivore — berries, roots, salmon, ungulates, carrion |
| Habitat | Arctic sea ice and coasts | Forest, mountains, tundra, coast |
| Fur and skin | Hollow colourless fur (looks white); black skin | Brown fur with silver-tipped "grizzled" guard hairs |
| Body shape | Long neck, small head, streamlined; no shoulder hump | Prominent shoulder hump (digging muscle), dished face |
| Hibernation | Only pregnant females den | All bears hibernate 5–7 months |
| Swimming | A marine mammal — swims hundreds of km | Swims well but not oceanic |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
Polar Bear vs Grizzly Bear: common questions
Who would win, a polar bear or a grizzly bear?
On size alone the polar bear usually has the advantage — it is typically heavier and is a dedicated predator. But a large coastal brown bear is a similar weight and is a more experienced fighter over food, so the outcome would depend heavily on the individuals.
Are polar bears and grizzly bears the same species?
No, but they are extremely close. Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) split from brown bears (Ursus arctos) recently in evolutionary terms and can still interbreed to produce fertile offspring, known as "pizzly" or "grolar" bears.
Why is a polar bear white and a grizzly brown?
Polar bear hairs are hollow and pigment-free, scattering light so the coat looks white for camouflage on ice. Grizzly fur contains brown pigment with pale tips, matching the forest and tundra where it lives.