Bears can run surprisingly fast despite their large size. The top speeds vary by species:
- Grizzly (Brown) Bears: The fastest of the bear species, grizzlies can reach speeds of up to 35 to 40 miles per hour (mph) in short bursts
- Black Bears: Slightly slower than grizzlies, black bears can run up to about 30 mph, though this depends on their condition—lean bears run faster than those bulked up for winter
- Polar Bears: The slowest among these three, polar bears can reach speeds of around 25 mph but only for short distances due to overheating risks
For context, the fastest human sprinter, Usain Bolt, can reach about 27 mph briefly, so bears are generally faster than humans
. Bears use this speed for hunting or defense, but they cannot maintain these top speeds for long distances. In summary, bears can sprint between 25 and 40 mph depending on the species and situation, making them much faster than the average human
