Polar bears are one of the largest and most powerful predators on Earth. Their massive size and lethal hunting abilities make them a formidable force in the Arctic. However, a handful of animals have what it takes to kill a polar bear under the right circumstances.
In this blog post, we will explore 5 of the most dangerous animals that could take down a polar bear if confronted. Read on to find out which beasts can defeat the king of the Arctic.
Elephant
Weighing in at over 13,000 pounds on average, African and Asian elephants are one massive animal. If you encounter an elephant in the wild, attacking it would be absolutely foolish. Their sheer size and weight advantage make them a lethal force to be reckoned with.
Elephants can stand up to 13 feet tall and have extremely powerful trunks that can lift objects weighing over 600 pounds, not to mention their giant tusks, which can easily impale enemies.
So how would an elephant fair against a polar bear, you ask? While conflicts between the two species would be exceptionally rare, if an aggressive elephant were to charge at and ram a polar bear, it could easily trample it or deliver devastating injuries with its tusks.
The bear would likely try to dodge and bite the elephant’s legs, but it would struggle to bring down such a large animal. With thick skin, a polar bear’s bites may not even phase an elephant much.
If it was able to land a bite on a more vulnerable spot, it could do some damage. But the elephant’s size and power advantage give it a good chance at fending off an attack and crushing a polar bear.
Rhino
Next up, we have the rhinoceros. With their stocky build, thick skin, sharp horns and aggressive reputation, rhinos are not to be taken lightly. On average, rhinos weigh over 3,000 pounds but can get up to 10,000 pounds, depending on the species.
They may not have the sheer size of elephants, but they are still incredibly formidable. Their horns can reach up to 5 feet long and are capable of inflicting serious injury. Rhinos have very poor eyesight but make up for it with a strong sense of smell and hearing.
If a polar bear and a rhino were to cross paths somehow, the rhino would likely charge at the unfamiliar bear species and try to skewer it or gore it with its deadly horns. The polar bear’s best bet would be to get out of the way of the charge and look for an opportunity to attack from the side.
However, rhinos can quickly pivot and continue charging, which makes them difficult to evade. If the polar bear can latch onto the rhino and dig its powerful jaws and claws into its thick skin, it may be able to do some damage.
But the rhino’s size, horns, and thick skin give it a very good shot at fending off an attack and goring the polar bear to death. While it would be an intense battle, the rhino has a good chance of coming out on top.
Hippo
Now, let’s look at one of the most aggressive and dangerous animals in Africa, the hippopotamus. Weighing in at over 3,000 pounds on average, these creatures may look slow and docile, but they are deceptively deadly. Despite their stocky build, hippos can actually run faster than humans and are incredibly strong.
They have huge tusk-like teeth that can grow to over a foot and a half long! Their powerful jaws exert over 8,000 pounds per square inch of pressure, which is enough to snap a crocodile in half.
If a polar bear and a hippo were to clash, the hippo would likely be the aggressor as they are known to attack pretty much anything that invades their territory. With thick skin, a huge mouth full of deadly teeth, an aggressive temperament and shocking speed for its size, the hippo poses a formidable threat.
The polar bear would try to use its quickness to land bites on the hippo, but this would be very risky getting so close to its lethal jaws. The hippo’s thick skin would also make it hard to injure it much. If given the chance, The hippo could deliver a lethal bite or ramming attack on a polar bear. The hippo’s size, speed, aggression and thick hide give it a very good shot at overpowering a polar bear in a fight.
Orca
Now, let’s head into the ocean to look at orcas, also known as killer whales. Orcas are apex ocean predators and the largest members of the dolphin family. They can reach over 30 feet long and weigh up to 12,000 pounds. Orcas have powerful jaws filled with razor-sharp teeth and can reach speeds over 30 miles per hour in the water. They prey on great white sharks.
If an orca encounters a polar bear swimming in the ocean, it would likely see it as potential prey. With their speed and manoeuvrability in the water, the orca could swiftly swim up and deliver a devastating blow from their massive tail flukes. This could stun, injure or kill a polar bear.
Or the orca may opt to ram the bear and attempt to drag it below the surface to drown it. The polar bear is certainly not defenceless in the water and has a strong bite force as well. But the orca’s superior mobility and deadly jaws give it the upper hand in aquatic clashes.
Though both animals are massively powerful in their respective environments, the orca’s abilities in the water would give it the edge over a polar bear.
Walrus
Lastly, let’s look at the polar bear’s fellow marine mammal of the north, the walrus. Walruses are huge creatures, weighing over a ton on average and reaching up to 12 feet long. They have very thick skin and blubber lining their bodies.
But their main weapons are their long tusks and powerful flippers. Their tusks can reach lengths over 3 feet long and inflict serious injury. Despite their considerable size, they can swim up to 22 miles per hour, faster than a polar bear.
In a confrontation between a polar bear and a walrus on land, the bear would likely try to get around the dangerous tusks and go for a killing bite. But the walrus’ thick skin and layer of fat could make that difficult.
The walrus could stab or slash the bear with its tusks and deliver crushing blows with its flippers. If a polar bear tried to attack a walrus in the water, the walrus would have the agility advantage and could stab the bear with its tusks or ram it forcefully.
Either way, the walrus can fend off an attack and potentially kill a polar bear thanks to its thick hide, long tusks, and manoeuvrability in water.