Male and Female Bears

I was watching a video about bear hunting, and something struck me. It is impossible to distinguish between a female and male bear visually. Or so I thought. A bear hunt could be in any hunter's future, so I decided to find out what characteristics distinguish to two genders.

Polar Bears

I probably would not be looking for a Polar Bear anytime soon, but I still found it interesting to find out how the genders differ.

The main difference is in size. Males tend to be larger than females. Male polar bears stand 8 to 10 feet tall when they stand on their back legs, while females stand from 6 to 8 feet tall in the same position. I imagine both would be very imposing. Males are heavier than females. Males get up to 550 to 1700 pounds. Females get up to 330 to 650 pounds.


Males and females mature at different rates as well. Males reach sexual maturity at about 6 years of age. Females mature sexually at about 4 years of age.

Black Bears

Black bears are the most striking.

Male black bears are bigger than their female counter parts. Males get up 200 or more pounds. Females can weigh in at 100 pounds or more.

Males have longer tracks than females. They also are visibly blockier and have a furrow running down their heads. Females are more slender in appearance. Males have shorter necks and rounded head-traits not shared by the female.

A female's vulva may be visible when she is in heat.

Grizzly Bear

Males grizzly bears tend to be larger than females. Males' heads seem smaller in comparison to his body. Females have shorter legs and appear squat in appearance.

During mating season it is easy to tell the difference. The males tend to walk with their hind legs far apart.

Females will dig for clams. This is something that, for unknown reasons, the male will not do. If you see a grizzly digging for clams it is most likely a female.

Of course the sure way of telling the male from the female is to see them urinate. Males urinate from the front while females urinate from the back.

I hope this helps you a little during your next bear hunt.