Polar bears, the majestic kings of the Arctic, are renowned for their swimming prowess. It’s a common question among wildlife enthusiasts and researchers alike: just How Long To Bear the breath underwater? Observing these incredible animals in their natural habitat, especially during underwater dives, presents a rare and valuable opportunity to unlock the secrets of their aquatic capabilities. For years, documented accounts of polar bears’ underwater excursions have been limited, making each observation a significant contribution to our understanding of these Arctic giants.
Previously, the most extended underwater dive documented involved a polar bear of undetermined sex observed in Radstock Bay, Devon Island, in the Canadian High Arctic back in 1973. This bear was seen diving and retrieving seaweed, with the longest recorded dive lasting 72 seconds. For decades, this 72-second benchmark stood as the known limit of polar bear underwater endurance.
However, in 2014, a game-changing observation dramatically shifted our perception. Rinie van Meurs, a guide in Svalbard, captured video footage of a polar bear undertaking an astonishing underwater dive. Analysis of this video revealed a phenomenal dive time of three minutes and ten seconds, shattering the previous record and offering new insights into how long to bear the underwater environment.
The event unfolded off the north coast of Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard Archipelago. Initially, the polar bear was resting on a large, flat ice floe, seemingly unaware of a nearby ship. As the bear noticed the vessel and began to approach, its emaciated condition became apparent. Shortly after, the bear’s focus shifted as it spotted three adult bearded seals lounging on the edge of a neighboring ice floe, spaced several meters apart. The hunt commenced as the polar bear entered the water. Initially swimming on the surface, it then submerged completely, initiating what is known as an aquatic stalk, swimming stealthily towards the seals underwater.
Continuous video recording captured the entire hunting sequence, allowing for estimations of distances between the bear and seals, and crucially, the duration of the dive. Using the body length of adult bearded seals (approximately 2-2.5 meters) as a reference, distances were accurately assessed. Detailed examination of the video confirmed that the polar bear did not surface for air from the moment it submerged until the end of its underwater pursuit.
The bear began its dive roughly 35-40 meters from the nearest seal. Just six or seven seconds later, the first seal displayed nervousness, raising its head before abruptly diving into the water. Remarkably, the polar bear remained submerged, continuing its underwater approach towards the second seal, located about 12-13 meters further along the ice edge. This behavior suggests a cognitive awareness, indicating the polar bear understood there were multiple prey targets even after the first one escaped. The second and third seals appeared oblivious to the impending threat as the bear continued its silent, underwater stalk. Then, after an incredible three minutes and ten seconds underwater, the polar bear explosively breached the surface at the floe edge, launching an attack on the second seal. Reacting instantly, the seal twisted away, preventing the bear from securing a grip on its head or forequarters, critical areas for a successful capture. In a desperate attempt, the bear managed to seize a hind flipper as the seal dove into the water, but its grip was insufficient to restrain the powerful prey.
This near-successful predation attempt underscores why bearded seals often prefer hauling out on smaller, isolated ice floes, which may offer better protection against polar bear attacks. Given their substantial size, adult bearded seals, weighing 250-300 kg, are primarily targeted by adult male polar bears.
Following the failed hunt, the exhausted polar bear rested its left foreleg on the ice surface, possibly to aid buoyancy due to its thin frame. It then began to pant rapidly, at a rate of approximately two breaths per second, for about 20 seconds, a clear indication of oxygen replenishment after the prolonged dive. Subsequently, the bear resumed its slow swim along the floe edge, continuing its search for other potential seal prey.
While the absolute maximum dive duration for a polar bear remains unknown, this extraordinary three-minute and ten-second dive stands as the longest documented to date. It provides invaluable insight into the remarkable physiological adaptations and hunting strategies of these apex Arctic predators, highlighting just how long to bear the challenges of their icy environment.
This article is based on research published in Polar Biology. Reference: Stirling, I., and R. van Meurs. 2015. Longest recorded underwater dive by a polar bear. Polar Record, DOI 10.1007/s00300-015-1684-1.
