A Kodiak bear is the largest brown bear on Earth. A big male stands over 10 feet tall on his hind legs and weighs up to 1,500 pounds.
This guide covers Kodiak bear size by height, weight, and length, plus how they compare with other animals.
Kodiak Bear Height, Weight & Length Chart
| Measure | Adult Male (Boar) | Adult Female (Sow) |
|---|---|---|
| Standing height | 10+ ft | About 8 ft |
| Shoulder height (on all fours) | 4 to 5 ft | About 3.5 to 4 ft |
| Body length (nose to tail) | About 8 ft (up to 10 ft) | About 7 ft |
| Weight | 1,050 to 1,175 lb average; up to 1,500 lb | About 30% lighter |
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) and the North American Bear Center both report these numbers. Female figures are estimates based on the 20% size and 30% weight gap reported by ADF&G.
Kodiak Bear Height
Kodiak bear height looks different depending on how the bear stands. On all fours, a big male is about 5 feet tall at the shoulder hump. On his hind legs, he can pass 10 feet. That is about four feet taller than a 6-foot adult.
Kodiak Bear Weight
Kodiak bear weight changes with the season. Males average about 1,050 to 1,175 pounds over the whole year. Very large males reach 1,500 pounds in the wild.
Kodiak Bear Length
Kodiak bear length, measured from nose to tail, averages about 8 feet for an adult male. The tail is short, only a few inches. A hind foot can measure about 18 inches on the largest bears.
You may hear about a “10-foot bear.” Hunters often get that number by adding the hide’s length and width. It is not the bear’s true body length.
More Post: Grizzly Bear Size
Male vs Female Kodiak Bear Size
Male Kodiak bears are about 20% larger and 30% heavier than females. This gap is called sexual dimorphism. It is common in brown bears.
Boar vs Sow Size Difference
Males, called boars, carry heavier shoulders, thicker necks, and wider skulls. Females, called sows, are slimmer. Big boars can be told apart by their broad heads and wide-set ears.
Kodiak Bear Cub Size
Kodiak bear cubs are tiny at birth. A newborn weighs less than 1 pound and has closed eyes and little hair. Cubs leave the den in May or June at about 15 to 20 pounds. Litters usually have 2 to 3 cubs.
More Post: Black Bear Size
Kodiak Bear Size by Age & Season
Kodiak bears reach adult size over several years and gain the most weight in late summer and fall. Their body mass rises and falls with the seasons.
How Fast Do Kodiak Bears Grow?
Most cubs stay with their mother for 3 years. Young bears then leave at ages 3 to 5. They become sexually mature at about age 5. Males keep adding bulk for many years after that.
Why Kodiak Bears Get So Big
Two things explain their size: isolation and food. Kodiak bears have lived apart from other brown bears for about 12,000 years on the Kodiak Archipelago. The islands offer salmon, berries, and grass.
Here is a surprise. Kodiak bears eat more plants than meat. ADF&G calls them omnivores, not hunters. Salmon, berries, and fresh spring grass supply most of their calories.
Seasonal Weight Changes
Bears eat heavily in summer and fall. This is called hyperphagia. Some estimates say adults gain 30% to 50% before winter. Kodiak bears start entering dens in late October. They can sleep up to 8 months without eating or drinking. By spring, they are much lighter.
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Kodiak Bear Size Compared to Other Animals
Kodiak Bear vs Polar Bear Size
Adult male polar bears typically weigh 775 to 1,200 pounds and measure 8 to 10 feet long. Kodiaks match them in weight and stand about as tall at the shoulder. The polar bear is usually listed as the largest bear because it can grow longer. The largest wild Kodiak on record weighed about 1,656 pounds. The record polar bear, shot in 1960, weighed 2,209 pounds.
Kodiak Bear vs Grizzly Bear Size
Kodiaks and grizzly bears belong to the same species, Ursus arctos. Male grizzlies usually weigh 600 to 800 pounds. A male Kodiak is often 300 to 400 pounds heavier. That is the difference between a large grizzly and a Kodiak.
Kodiak Bear vs Black Bear Size
American black bears weigh about 200 to 400 pounds as adults. A Kodiak can be three to four times heavier. A black bear is closer in size to a large person.
Kodiak Bear vs Human Size
A 6-foot adult reaches a Kodiak’s chest when the bear is on all fours. A Kodiak on its hind legs towers about four feet above a person. A male weighs as much as five to seven average men.
Kodiak Bear vs Tiger Size
The Siberian tiger is the largest big cat. Big males top out around 660 pounds. A 1,000-pound Kodiak weighs well over 50% more than the biggest tigers.
Largest Kodiak Bear on Record
The largest wild Kodiak bear on record weighed about 1,650 pounds. The North American Bear Center lists 1,648 pounds. Other references list 1,656 pounds. The difference is small. Sixteen of the twenty largest brown bears ever taken by hunters came from the Kodiak Archipelago.
Biggest Wild Kodiak Bears
Wild bears rarely pass 1,500 pounds. They burn huge amounts of energy while searching for food. That keeps weight in check.
Largest Captive Kodiak Bear
Captive bears can grow heavier. Clyde, at the Dakota Zoo in Bismarck, North Dakota, weighed 2,130 pounds when he died in 1987. He likely weighed close to 2,400 pounds a year earlier. Zoo bears eat on a steady schedule and do not have to roam, so they gain more.
More Post: Bear Size
FAQ’s About Kodiak Bear Size
How big is a Kodiak bear?
A large male stands over 10 feet tall on his hind legs and about 5 feet on all fours. He weighs up to 1,500 pounds.
How much does a Kodiak bear weigh?
Adult males average about 1,050 to 1,175 pounds. The record wild male weighed about 1,650 pounds.
Are Kodiak bears bigger than grizzly bears?
Yes. Kodiaks are the largest brown bear subspecies. Males often outweigh grizzlies by 300 to 400 pounds.
Are Kodiak bears bigger than polar bears?
Not on average. Polar bears are slightly longer, and the record polar bear weighed 2,209 pounds. The biggest Kodiaks are close in weight to typical male polar bears.
How tall is a Kodiak bear standing up?
A big male can stand over 10 feet tall. Females stand about 8 feet.
How big is a Kodiak bear cub?
A newborn weighs under 1 pound. Cubs leave the den at about 15 to 20 pounds.
I’m Ethan Parker, a writer focused on animals and wildlife. I share simple, useful facts about animal size, behavior, habitats, and unique traits.
