A LITTLE WILDLIFE PERSPECTIVE
How tall is a brown bear?
Compare your height to a brown bear.
A brown bear on all fours stands about 0.9–1.5 m at the shoulder. Standing upright is a different measurement.
A LITTLE PERSPECTIVE
Brown bear
next to the average.
Average U.S. adults, side by side.
- Average man (U.S.)5 ft 8.9 in
- Brown bear3 ft 11.2 in
- Average woman (U.S.)5 ft 3.5 in
How do you measure up?
Enter your height to stand beside a brown bear.
Side by side
- Brown bear3 ft 11.2 in
- Your placeAdd your height
The animal is an example adult in the pose shown. Its full outline is scaled to 120 cm. Shoulder height and body length are explained below.
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GET TO KNOW THE ANIMAL
Small facts. Big discoveries.
Brown bear · Ursus arctos
Brown bears vary enormously across their range. The muscular hump above the shoulders is one clue that helps distinguish their shape from other bears.
A brown bear’s menu changes with the landscape and season, from roots and berries to insects, mammals, and fish. Bears living near salmon runs can take advantage of that rich food supply, while populations elsewhere depend on a different mix of foods.
- Brown bear coats can range from very pale to almost black.
- Their bodies can measure roughly 1–2.8 m from head to rump.
How big do adults get?
- Male
- Coastal Alaska example: 389 kg average
- Female
- Coastal Alaska example: 207 kg average
These weight averages come from coastal southern Alaska. Brown bears in other regions can be much smaller; they are not worldwide averages or maximums.
Height, length, or weight?
Standing height runs from the ground to the top of the animal. Shoulder height stops at the top of the shoulders. Length runs along the body; it is not how tall an animal stands. Weight tells us how heavy it is.
Explore the science: Animal Diversity Web · University of Michigan ↗