Who would win in a fight, a Polar Bear or a Grizzly Bear?

Question

I need textual support to back up your claim please.

Answer 1

Have you ever read The Golden Compass. If you have, you know that if the polar bear in question is a panserbjorne, in particular Iorek Byrnison, the polar bear would kick ***. Polar bears are cooler anyways. Scientifically, though, the Grizzly probably, they're bigger+stronger, But you need to give more details on the fight. Is it a territorial dispute? Over food? Which one's been eating more lately? Does it happen in the woods or the Arctic?

Answer 2

a polar bear because they live in harsher places and are used to it

Answer 3

Where do you suppose anyone could find documentary evidence of such a fight ? If it has happened I certainly have never heard of it. Perhaps someone reading your question may 'invent' a story of such a fight and provide that information. I am quite sure that all anyone will provide is anecdotal story telling. I would however be happy to be provided with irrefutable evidence of such an occurrence.

I have answered many animal v animal questions here on answers. I do not believe anyone can arrive at a qualified decision, people tend to 'favour' the attributes of one over the other rather than presenting a balanced and unbias opinion. And that is all it will amount to, OPINION ! Most 'accounts' are based on weak observation and conjecture. All one can do is compare attributes and make a conclusion on that basis.

Both bears clearly are very large, powerful and fierce. The only POSSIBLE advantage I see for the Grizzly is the use of its longer and sharper claws. In all other attributes, the Polar Bear is considerably larger, more powerful, taller (on all four's and standing upright), bigger built, (the Grizzly probably has a larger RELATIVE build and is RELATIVELY stronger - but the Polar is PHYSICALLY larger and stronger) longer and heavier. I believe all these superlatives mean the Polar Bear would win more of the time, but it would be a difficult contest for any Polar Bear. Such considerations as temperament and reputation are negated as each display similar dispositions. The Kodiak bear, being larger and heavier than a Grizzly, would be much more closely matched and I believe the outcome of those fights would be pretty even.

I have just read 'skateKad47' answer, as I mentioned ALL of that information amounts to no more that circumstance, anecdote and conjecture. The 4 Polar Bears at the whale carcass being driven off by a sow Grizzly with cubs ? A bias and sensationalistic account as confirmed by the text in that very link, 'but then the majestic rulers of Beaufort Sea ice met their match: a scrappy tundra grizzly'. Perhaps a more accurate description might read: '4 Polar bears, having fed well on the carcass were not interested in defending their food source from an already defensive and hungry female Grizzly and her cubs'. 3 potential factors there, 1 -  Polar bears already full. 2 -  Grizzly and cubs hungry and so had motivation to attain the food source. 3 - ALL female bears are known to be aggressive when present with cubs and male bears are only too aware of this, even across different bear species. In any case who honestly thinks that a FEMALE Grizzly could beat a MALE Polar bear 3 or 4 times her weight ?

Also, mentioned twice in the other answer 1 -  'It is very strong, if the grizzly and polar bear were the same size, the grizzly bear would probably be stronger'. And 2 -  'it seems that the grizzly bear holds most of the advantages (strength, powerful jaws and claws etc) and would usually win a fight, especially if both bears were the same size'

1 - This is hardly an argument to suggest the Grizzly actually IS stronger, instead suggesting that it may be if they were the same size ! Surely anyone would conclude from that statement that the Polar bear IS therefore stronger.

2 - Conjecture and bias, show me a scientific study that concludes the Grizzly is stronger... If it does have stronger jaws (says who ?) what right does anyone have to conclude that it 'would usually win in a fight' ?  'Especially if both bears were the same size'. Is that a thinly veiled proviso to bolster the Grizzlie's chances ?......

LORD ASRIEL - since when are grizzlies larger than the largest bear and largest land carnivore (thats the polar bear to you) ? They are not even the largest of the brown bears never mind comparing to a Polar bear !

Answer 4

GRIZZLY BEAR WINS

This is supported by http://www.lairweb.org.nz/tiger/conflict... which says that that the grizzly bear is the ultimate carnivore for various reasons. Some of the following have been obtained from other websites.

1. The grizzly bear is more ferocious than other brown bears.

2. It is very strong. If the grizzly and polar bears were the same size, the grizzly bear would probably be stronger, as it is more robustly built, with enormous bone and muscle density. It has powerful arm muscles and a powerful shoulder structure, with a massive hump of muscle on its back that empowers the upper body with massive strength, enabling it to dig in tough ground. The polar bear lacks this hump and has narrower forequarters.

3. It has a shorter, thicker neck and a more heavily built skull. The polar bear is larger, but less robust and has a thinner, longer and more delicate skull.

4. Its huge 6-9 inch long claws can open a carcass; the hook-like claws of the polar bear are 2 inches long.

5. Grizzly bears have been known to fight off polar bears from their feeding areas.

6. The grizzly bear has more power to strike a blow than does a polar bear.

7. The polar bear overheats extremely quickly and would find it difficult to fight for a long time.

8. Compared to a polar bear, it has stronger jaws.

http://www.adn.com/front/story/6415667p-... concerns four big polar bears, including three 1,000 lb males feeding on whale carcasses in Alaska. A small, scrappy tundra grizzly sow emerged from the darkness and ambled up the spit, trailed by two yearling cubs. Without hesitation, the grizzly lunged at the first polar bear, huffing and snarling, driving it into the lagoon. Soon the second, third and fourth polar bears had joined it, leaving the food to the brown bear, which was about one-third their size. She just went in there and cleared them out, one after another and would not tolerate any bears being there with her cubs. The brown bears tend to be a lot more aggressive and rule the roost. They're not very tolerant of other bears around them, whereas the polar bears were amazingly tolerant.

POLAR BEAR WINS

Polar bears (1,100-1,300 lb) are generally larger than grizzly bears (300-700 lb) and are said to take off a human head with one swipe. Polar bears fight other polar bears more often than brown bears fight other brown bears. They have a ferocious disposition. A witness in a Northern Manitoba Landfill Site said that polar bears won't back off from anything, while a grizzly bear would run away. One person says the polar bear is the most carnivorous bear (true) and would be protected by its thick fur.

Looking at all the information above, it seems that the grizzly bear holds most of the advantages (strength, powerful jaws and claws etc) and would usually win a fight, especially if both bears were the same size. The polar bear would have the advantage in an Arctic environment, unless the fight took a lot of time - then the grizzly bear would have the advantage.

There's a bit more on the original site :

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Wild-Animals-...