Comparing a Polar Bear and a Hippo
What Are Key Differences Between a Polar Bear and a Hippo?
The greatest differences between a polar bear and a hippo are their morphology and size. Polar bears are caniform mammals with a thick coat of fur that can weigh up to 1,300lbs on average, stand up to 5ft at the shoulder, and grow 8.3ft long. Hippos are massive, mostly hairless mammals with a pig-like body that weighs up to 9,900lbs, stand 5.5ft at the shoulder, and measure up to 16.5ft long. The polar bear and hippo are very powerful, distinct animals, and we need to go beyond their differences to figure out which of them is deadlier.
What Are the Key Factors in a Fight Between a Polar Bear and a Hippo?
In a battle between the heavyweight polar bear and hippo, we need to look at the size, offensive power, and defense. Those major factors will help us determine which animal is capable of dealing fatal damage to the other creature. We’ll also have to look at concepts like speed and the way these animals approach prey in a combat scenario. By looking at the five factors we’ve outlined and figuring out which one has advantages in those qualities, we’ll know which animal has what it takes to win this fight.
Polar Bear vs Hippo: Size
Hippos are bigger than polar bears by every measure. Hippos weigh up to 9,900lbs, but polar bears only weigh about 1,300lbs, and the largest polar bear ever weighed just over 2,000lbs. Also, hippos can stand 5.5ft at the shoulder and measure up to 16ft long from end to end. Meanwhile, polar bears stand between 3.5ft and 5ft at the shoulder and measure about 8.3ft at their utmost. Hippos have the size advantage in this fight.
Polar Bear vs Hippo: Speed and Movement
Hippos are faster than polar bears. A polar bear can run up to 25 mph and swim at 6 mph. Hippos can reach top speeds of 30 mph on land and 5 mph in the water. This is not a huge speed difference. Hippos have the speed advantage over polar bears.
Polar Bear vs Hippo: Defenses
Hippos have similar yet superior defenses to polar bears. Hippos have skin that is about 2 inches thick, along with blubbers that protect them from attacks. These animals are regularly attacked by lions, and they can simply shrug off these big cats a lot of the time and keep moving. Simply put, it’s hard to get a bite in on such a rotund creature! Hippos are also highly aggressive animals that can easily scare off others. Moreover, it’s very hard to bring them to the ground because they are so massive. Polar bears are also large and have a frightening threat display. They have insulated fur and thick skin. Their fur, skin, and fat layers can be up to 4 inches thick! Hippos have the advantage in terms of defenses.
Polar Bear vs Hippo: Offensive Capabilities
Hippos are more powerful than polar bears. Polar bears have sharp, curved 4-inch claws that they can use to grab their prey and hold it in place while delivering a 1,200PSI bite. That is an incredibly powerful chomp that can help them break bones and remove the flesh from other animals. Hippos have an even more powerful bite at 1,800PSI. Their teeth aren’t there to rip flesh, though. They puncture and smash their food with teeth that measure up to 1.5ft long. They’re also not afraid to bowl over their enemies and trample them with their weight. Hippos have the offensive advantage in this case.
Polar Bear vs Hippo: Predatory Behaviors
Both polar bears and hippos are ambush predators when hunting. Polar bears wait for seals above holes in the ice. Once the seal appears, the polar bear grasps the creature with its claws and starts biting it to death. It’s a messy, brutal event. Hippos are also ambushing predators that will often wait for animals to come to the water for a drink before striking. In a flash, they lunge forth and tear their prey asunder. However, hippos are primarily herbivorous. Polar bears are effective, intelligent predators, and they have the advantage in this category.
Who Would Win in a Fight Between a Polar Bear and a Hippo?
A hippo would win a fight against a polar bear. The hippo is larger, stronger, has better offensive powers and a defense that would allow it to last longer in a battle than a polar bear. Sure, the polar bear could use its claws to cut the hippo to ribbons, but it would take some time and power to cut through all that flesh and fat. There’s no way that the hippo, one of the most powerful, aggressive animals in the world, sits there and takes that damage. Instead, the hippo needs one or two bites to incapacitate the polar bear. Its massive teeth would penetrate the bear’s fur and skin, breaking bones and ripping into organs. In this rare case, speed on land would only matter at the beginning of the fight. Even if the animals charged at each other to start the battle, a distinct possibility, the hippo could slam into the polar bear and end the fight very fast. The polar bear, while deadly, doesn’t have a chance in a fight against a hippo.
