Quick Take
- The locals who feed Albert aren't doing it out of generosity. Their real motive is far more strategic. See why locals feed him →
- For all his viral fame, one fundamental fact about Albert has never actually been confirmed.
- Polar bears don't eat what most people assume, and that dietary quirk is the key to Albert's record-breaking size. Explore polar bear diet facts →
- Albert's whereabouts are technically known, yet tracking him down would be nearly impossible. Find out where Albert roams →
Polar bears are large creatures, but an individual called Albert (AKA ‘Fat Albert’) tops the scales. Check out this Instagram post to see him for yourself. Details about Albert are scarce, and the available information is difficult to verify. We just hope that Albert is truly out there living his best life.
Where Does Albert the Polar Bear Live?
According to the (very few) press reports about Albert, he lives in Alaska, which does not narrow it down much! His enormous size is attributed to his high-fat diet, which consists mainly of whale blubber. Locals allegedly throw large amounts of whale blubber for him to feast on as a sign of respect. For decades, locals in some Alaskan villages have left whale remains from subsistence hunts outside of town, which attracts polar bears and helps keep them away from populated areas.
Of course, no one has actually ever weighed Albert, but his weight is estimated to be in the region of 1,400–1,500 pounds.
How Big Are Polar Bears Normally?
Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) range throughout the Arctic region surrounding the North Pole. There are 19 recognized polar bear populations worldwide. In Alaska, the two relevant populations are the Southern Beaufort Sea population and the Chukchi Sea population. The Alaska polar bear population is estimated to be between 4,000 and 7,000 individuals.
Polar bears feast on blubber.
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They are large and stocky bears who weigh between 330 and 1,700 pounds, so Albert is toward the top of the range. In the wild, they live between 25 and 30 years. These guys lead a solitary life apart from when mating. They spend most of their time sleeping and resting. However, they are excellent swimmers and travel a long way in search of food.
Like other polar bears, Albert is a carnivore. Their primary prey is ringed seals, but it’s the blubber that they are interested in. Polar bears will often consume the blubber and leave the rest of the seal carcass. Blubber has a high caloric value and is very important for bears to maintain an insulating fat layer and store energy for times when food is scarce. Clearly, Albert has not experienced a shortage of food yet!
