What is the Difference Between Polar Bear and Brown Bear?

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and brown bears (Ursus arctos) are both large carnivorous mammals, but they have several differences in their appearance, behavior, and habitat. Some of the key differences between polar bears and brown bears include:

1. Habitat: Polar bears inhabit the Arctic regions and primarily live on sea ice, while brown bears inhabit a variety of temperate regions across Asia, Europe, and North America, including coastal estuaries, meadows, desert edges, temperate forests, steppes, alpine forests, and open landscapes.
2. Coat Color: Polar bears have a snow-white to yellow coat, while brown bears have a silvery-brown coat.
3. Size: Polar bears are generally larger than many subspecies of brown bears, but the largest subspecies of brown bear, the Kodiak bear, can sometimes grow larger than polar bears.
4. Diet: Polar bears are primarily carnivorous and eat seals, while brown bears are omnivorous and consume both animal and plant matter.
5. Territorial Behavior: Brown bears are territorial, while polar bears are not.
6. Swimming Ability: Polar bears are excellent swimmers, but brown bears cannot swim.
7. Nocturnal Behavior: Brown bears are nocturnal, while polar bears are not.
8. Feet: Polar bears have larger feet with soft papillae on their paws, while brown bears have smaller feet without papillae on their paws.
9. Cubs and Parenting: Both species have a life expectancy of about 25 years and share similarities in rearing their cubs. However, male polar bears are more involved in raising their cubs than male brown bears.

Despite these differences, polar bears and brown bears are closely related and can interbreed. Their ranges overlap in some areas, such as Arctic coastal regions.

Comparative Table: Polar Bear vs Brown Bear

Here is a table comparing the differences between polar bears and brown bears:

Please note that the weights of brown bears vary depending on the subspecies, such as Kodiak Bears and Himalayan Brown Bears. The average weight for the largest brown bear population is about 379 kg. Polar bears are highly adapted for life in cold climates around the North Pole, while brown bears are found in a variety of environments, including warmer climates.