What is the largest land carnivore?

The polar bear is the largest living land carnivore by body mass. Its scientific name, Ursus maritimus, means “sea bear,” reflecting its dependence on Arctic sea ice and marine prey. Adult males commonly weigh several hundred kilograms, and exceptional wild males can exceed 700 kilograms; one recorded wild individual reached about 1,002 kilograms.

Polar bears are specialised hunters of seals, especially ringed seals. They wait beside breathing holes or stalk seals on the ice, targeting the animals' energy-rich blubber. Their large paws spread weight across snow and ice, while dense fur and a thick fat layer protect them from Arctic cold.

The closest common comparison is the brown bear, particularly the Kodiak bear. Large Kodiak bears can rival polar bears in size, but the polar bear remains the accepted largest living land carnivore by average body mass. Tigers and lions may be longer than some bears, but they are generally lighter. Polar bears are also technically marine mammals because their survival is closely tied to marine ecosystems, even though they spend substantial time on land and sea ice.