Why the Vikings left Greenland
Drought. Didn’t expect that.
Grizzly bears now ‘regular residents’ of Manitoba
I am cool with that.
Giant Shortfaced Bear (Arctodus Simus)An extinct species of bear belonging to the subfamily Tremarctinae. It is not only the largest bear ever known, but also the largest carnivorous land mammal ever to exist. Having lived from 800,000 to 12,500 years ago, during the ice age, Arctodus simus is believed to have evolved from Plionarctos, the oldest known genus of the subfamily Tremarctinae. Arctodus simus inhabited North America from Alaska down to central Mexico. Fossils have been found over a very wide range (as far east as Virginia), but have been found at a much greater magnitude in the western states, especially California. Enormous specimens have been found in Alaska and Yukon.Also known as the bulldog bear or short-faced bear because of its short, broad muzzle the Arctodus simus had a low forehead with eyes set far apart and facing forward giving it excellent vision. It measured 5.5 feet at shoulder height when standing on all 4 and up to 12 feet when on its hind legs with a reach of over 14 feet. Though it weighed as much 2,000 pounds, it had a leaner build than the brown bear. It had much longer limbs than today’s brown bears allowing it to run faster (over 40 miles per hour. This huge Ice Age predator went extinct around 12,000 years ago and the closest living decendent of Arctodus simus in modern times is the spectacled bear.
This bear was a presence during its time, no doubt. Valerius Geist speculated it may have slowed human migration into the Americas. There is some dispute on its nature. Was it predatory or not, etc. For sure, you didn’t mess with it. The Pleistocene would have been an amazing sight.