Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and tigers (Panthera tigris) are the apex predators—they stand at the top of their food chain. Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) and polar bear are the most powerful land carnivores in the world. Adult Siberian tigers weigh as much as 500 lbs while the biggest of the polar bears recorded at 1,500 lbs max. White bears and Siberian tigers share the same habitat so they are most likely to encounter each other in the wild. In this article we’re going to compare the Arctic bear with the Siberian cat as well as the Bengal tiger.
Polar Bear vs Tiger – Siberian Tiger vs Polar Bear Size, Weight, Strength, Fight Comparison
Polar Bear vs Tiger Comparison Chart
|
Features |
POLAR BEAR |
TIGER |
| Size | 7 ft 10 in to 9 ft 10 in | 8.2 to 12.8 feet |
| Weight | 772 to 1,543 lb | 143 to 368 lb |
| Skull | 10.6 to 12.5 inches | |
| Shoulder Height | 122 to 160 cm | 2.3 to 4.0 feet |
| Color | White | Golden orange |
| Habitat | Arctic sea ice | Dense vegetation |
| Primary Diet | Seals | Deer |
| Land Speed | 25 mph | 30 – 40 mph |
| Swimming Speed | 10 km/h (6 mph) | 4 – 6 mph |
| Swimming Distance | 90 to 100 km | 18 miles |
| Predators & Competitors | No predator | Hyenas, leopards, dholes, pythons, bears, crocodiles |
| Baby Name | Cubs | Cubs |
| Gestation Period | 195 – 265 days | 93 to 112 days |
| Cubs’ Weight | 0.9 kg (2.0 lb) | 680 to 1,400 grams |
| Litter Size | 1 – 2 cubs | 1 – 6 cubs |
| Lifespan max. | 42 years | 26 years |
Polar Bear vs Tiger Size Comparison
Polar Bear Profile – Size & Weight
- Adult male bears measure around 7 ft 10 in–9 ft 10 in in an overall length.
- Males weigh as much as 772–1,543 lb. Males are twice the size of a female.
- The female reaches the length of 5 ft 11 in–7 ft 10 in with the weight estimated at 331–551 lb. The pregnant female however weighs up to 1,100 lb.
- Polar bears have 8 – 5.1 inches long tail.
- The heaviest polar bear ever recorded at 1,002 kg (2,209 lb). It was shot in the northwestern Alaska in 1960.
Siberian Tiger Profile – Size & Weight
- Male Siberian tigers reach the total length of 195 cm (77 in) or 6.4 feet with the weight averaging up to 450 to 675 lb. Reports suggest that there are much bigger than Siberian cats living out there in the wild. Perhaps understandably, captive specimens are heavier than the wild tigers.
- The female tiger has a head-body length of 167 to 182 cm (66 to 72 in). They weigh up to 118 kg (260 lb).
- Siberian tigers have 99 cm (39 inches) long tail which is seven to eight times the size of a polar bear tail.
- The heaviest Siberian tiger recorded at 847 lb with the length of about 11.5 feet.
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Siberian Tiger vs Polar Bear Description
Siberian Tiger Profile – What Does a Siberian Tiger Look Like
- Siberian tiger has thick fur one that is good enough to protect the tiger from extreme cold.
- The coat is pale orange in color. Unlike polar bear’s coat, the tiger’s coat is recognized by its dark stripes all over the coat which is typical of a tiger.
- The length of the coat is measured at 40–50 mm (1.6–2.0 in).
- Siberian cats have 90–115 mm (3.5–4.5 in) long whiskers.
Polar Bear Profile – What Does a Polar Bear Look Like
- Like Siberian tiger, the polar bear is also protected by thick fur which is an adaptation to living in the Arctic.
- The bear’s coat is all white but it yellows with age.
- The length of the guard hair is about 5–15 cm (2–6 in).
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Siberian Tiger vs Polar Bear Adaptations
Siberian Tiger Profile – Adaptations
- Siberian tigers are strong swimmers. However, unlike polar bears the Siberian tiger will swim in rivers, lakes, and ponds.
- Tigers can swim 18 miles (29 km) each day.
- They can also carry prey into the water.
- Unlike polar bears, Siberian cats do not possess acute sense of smell.
- They are protected by thick coat.
- Tigers can jump up to 12 feet high vertically.
- Siberian tigers have retractable claws.
Polar Bear Profile – Adaptations
- Polar bears are probably the strongest swimmers of all land mammals. They are sometimes referred as marine animals.
- They can swim hundreds of miles in a single journey.
- Arctic bears have an excellent sense of smell.
- They can reach a speed of 10 km/h (6 mph) in swimming.
- The maximum running speed of a polar bear is about 40 km/h (25 mph).
- Polar bears probably cannot jump like tigers do.
- Unlike Amur tigers, polar bears have non-retractable claws so they are most likely to get injured.
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Siberian Tiger vs Polar Bear Habitat & Diet
Siberian Tiger Profile – Habitat & Diet
- They are known to make habitats in Korean pine broadleaf forests and northern boreal complex.
- Asian subspecies fancy living in dense tropical habitats particularly those that are abundant in vegetation and water.
- They are found in Southeast and Central Asia.
- Siberian tigers prey on deer, ungulates, and other medium sized mammals.
Polar Bear Profile – Habitat & Diet
- The primary habitat of a polar bear is sea ice and water.
- Polar bears are found in the Northern Hemisphere—Arctic.
- They will actively hunt seals.