Elk vs Grizzly bear
Elk vs grizzly bear
Elk is larger on weight
Elk is somewhat greater than grizzly bear on weight — about 1.2×.
An elk and a grizzly bear can be compared on 5 measures. The figures below are typical adult or full-size values, with the larger of the two in bold.
Side by side
| Elk | Grizzly bear | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 170–500 kg | 130–360 kg |
| Height | 1.3–1.5 m | 0.9–1.1 m |
| Length | 2–2.7 m | 1.7–2.4 m |
| Top speed | 72 km/h | 56 km/h |
| Typical lifespan | 10–20 yr | 20–35 yr |
What the numbers say
- Elk is somewhat greater than grizzly bear on weight — about 1.2×.
- Elk is 1.5× grizzly bear on height.
- Elk is somewhat greater than grizzly bear on length — about 1.2×.
- Elk is somewhat greater than grizzly bear on top speed — about 1.3×.
- Grizzly bear is 1.7× elk on typical lifespan.
Weight compared.
Elk 170–500 kg
Grizzly bear 130–360 kg
Elk
The second-largest deer, whose bulls bugle in autumn and carry antlers over a metre long.
Grizzly bear
The inland North American brown bear, smaller than coastal populations because it eats less salmon.
This is a comparison of published measurements, nothing more. It describes how two things differ on measures that have been recorded; it does not predict how they would fare against each other in any situation.
Common questions
- Which is bigger, elk or grizzly bear?
- Elk is somewhat greater than grizzly bear on weight — about 1.2×. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.
- How do elk and grizzly bears compare on height?
- Elk: 1.3–1.5 m. Grizzly bear: 0.9–1.1 m. Elk is 1.5× grizzly bear on height.
- How do elk and grizzly bears compare on length?
- Elk: 2–2.7 m. Grizzly bear: 1.7–2.4 m. Elk is somewhat greater than grizzly bear on length — about 1.2×.
Related pages
Sources
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution