Bears are fascinating creatures that have captured the imagination of humans for centuries. There are eight species of bears alive today, but many more have gone extinct over the course of history. Studying extinct bears can provide valuable insights into their evolutionary history and the ecological dynamics of bear populations in the past.
Understanding extinct bears is crucial for reconstructing the natural world of the past, informing conservation efforts, and protecting the bears that still exist today. In this article, we will discover five extinct types of bears that once roamed the earth.
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Short-faced bear
5 Extinct Types Of Bears
Ursavus elmensis (dawn bear)
Ursavus elmensis, also known as the “dawn bear,” is an extinct species of bear that lived during the Miocene period, about 23-5.3 million years ago. It is generally considered to be the earliest undisputed bear species and the first identifiable bear.
The dawn bear was the earliest member of the subfamily Ursinae in the New World and apparently dispersed from Asia into North America about 20 million years ago. These bears had dog-like features and characteristics and set the evolutionary path for modern-day bears.
Known to consume insects and vegetation, the descendants of the dawn bear have become one of the largest living terrestrial carnivores. The dawn bear went extinct millions of years ago, but its legacy lives on in the bears that still exist today.
Arctotherium Angustidens (bear beast)
Arctotherium Angustidens, also known as the “bear beast,” is an extinct species of bear that lived during the Pleistocene period, from about 2.59 to 0.01 million years ago. It was one of the largest bears to ever exist, with an estimated weight of up to 2,200 pounds.
Arctotherium Angustidens was part of the Arctotherium genus, which was endemic to Central and South America. The genus consisted of one early giant form, A. angustidens, and several succeeding smaller species, which were within the size range of modern bears.
Arctotherium Angustidens was adapted to open and mixed habitats and was a carnivorous predator. It is believed that the bear beast went extinct due to climate change and competition with other predators.
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Arctotherium Angustidens is one of the most well-known extinct bears and has been the subject of many studies and documentaries.
Cave Bear (Ursus spelaeus)
The cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) is a prehistoric species of bear that lived in Europe and Asia during the Pleistocene period and became extinct about 24,000 years ago during the Last Glacial Maximum.
The cave bear was named after the fact that fossils of this species were mostly found in caves, which reflects the views of experts that cave bears may have spent more time in caves than the brown bear, which uses caves only for hibernation.
The cave bear was one of the largest bear species ever, with males weighing up to 1,500 pounds. Females ranged between 225-250 kilograms. The cave bear was largely herbivorous, feeding on plants such as grasses, fruits, and nuts.
Cave bear remains have been found in England, Belgium, Germany, Russia, Spain, Italy, and Greece, and the animal may have reached North Africa. Several local varieties, or races, have been described, and dwarf races are known from some regions.
Stone Age peoples sometimes hunted the cave bear, but evidence of that is limited.
The giant short-faced bear (Arctodus simus)
The giant short-faced bear (Arctodus simus) is an extinct species of bear that lived in North America during the Pleistocene period, from about 2.5 million years ago until 11,000 years ago. It was one of the largest mammalian land carnivores ever, with an estimated weight of up to 2,500 pounds.
The giant short-faced bear was also known as the bulldog bear because of its short, broad snout. It was a highly carnivorous predator with a keen sense of smell and excellent vision.
The giant short-faced bear was also the fastest running bear that ever lived, with a speed of over 40 miles per hour despite its massive size. Its fossils have been found throughout North America, including the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles.
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The giant short-faced bear went extinct about 11,000 years ago, likely due to a combination of climate change and competition with other predators.
Atlas Bear (Ursus arctos crowtheri)
The Atlas bear (Ursus arctos crowtheri) is an extinct population or populations of brown bear native to North Africa that became extinct in historical times.
Here are some key facts about the Atlas bear:
Range
– The Atlas bear was Africa’s only native bear species that survived into modern times.
– Once inhabiting the Atlas Mountains and neighboring areas, from Morocco to Libya, the animal is now thought to be extinct.
Description
– The Atlas bear was brownish-black in color and lacked a white mark on the muzzle.
– The fur on the underparts was reddish-orange.
– The fur was 4–5 inches (102–127 mm) long.
– The muzzle and claws were shorter than those of the American black bear, though it was stouter and thicker in build.
Habitat
– The Atlas bear was mainly found in forested mountain regions.
Diet
– The Atlas bear was mainly herbivorous, feeding on acorns, nuts, roots, and fruits.
– It also ate small mammals and carrion.
The Atlas bear was small for a brown bear and of a similar length to a black bear but with a more stocky build, probably weighing up to around 450 kg. The Atlas bear went extinct in the 19th or 20th century, likely due to habitat loss and hunting.
FAQS
1. What is an extinct bear?
An extinct bear is a species of bear that existed in the past but is no longer found in the wild today.
2. Why is it important to study extinct bears?
Studying extinct bears can provide valuable insights into their evolutionary history and the ecological dynamics of bear populations in the past. Understanding extinct bears is crucial for reconstructing the natural world of the past, informing conservation efforts, and protecting the bears that still exist today.
3. What are the five extinct types of bears?
The five extinct types of bears are Ursavus elmensis (dawn bear), Arctotherium Angustidens (bear beast), the cave bear (Ursus spelaeus), the giant short-faced bear (Arctodus simus), and the Atlas bear (Ursus arctos crowtheri).
4. When did these extinct bears live?
These extinct bears lived during different periods of history. Ursavus elmensis lived during the Miocene period, about 23-5.3 million years ago. Arctotherium Angustidens lived during the Pleistocene period, from about 2.59 to 0.01 million years ago. The cave bear lived in Europe and Asia during the Pleistocene period and became extinct about 24,000 years ago. The giant short-faced bear lived in North America during the Pleistocene period, from about 2.5 million years ago until 11,000 years ago. The Atlas bear lived in North Africa and became extinct in historical times.
5. Why did these extinct bears go extinct?
The reasons for the extinction of these bears vary. Ursavus elmensis likely went extinct due to natural selection and competition with other species. Arctotherium Angustidens likely went extinct due to climate change and competition with other predators. The cave bear likely went extinct due to climate change and hunting by humans. The giant short-faced bear likely went extinct due to climate change and competition with other predators. The Atlas bear likely went extinct due to habitat loss and hunting by humans.
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Category: Animals
