Short-faced bear



"Horse-sized Arctodus was such a powerful opponent that it may well have delayed human colonization of the New World."

- Ted Oakes, "Land of Lost Monsters", page 138

In North America during the last Ice Age, a Giant ruled the snows. Its name was Arctodus Simus, The Giant Short Faced Bear. From Texas to Alaska it strolled the frozen world, bullying American lions, Saber and Scimitar Toothed Cats, Dire wolves, and Grizzly Bears from their kills. It was the ultimate Bully, a being unable to chase down prey without risking breaking its bones during a quick U-turn after their targets, and therefore suited to a life of conflict over food. When it walked on all fours, it reached 5-6 feet tall, and when rearing up, reached 14 feet high. the largest individuals, of the subspecies Arcotuds Simus Yukonesis, reached 2,205 lbs. When the first Indians entered the new world, they could not hold their own kills against this beast, which could break into the largest animal bones with its shortened, super-strong jaws (hence the name). Its sense of smell outdid any bears of today, being capable of sensing dead animals ten miles away. It could outrun horses, walk great distances, and with its unusually long limbs had a super long reach with its paws. This bear was so formidable that even 1200 pounders could slay 2500 Jefferson Ground Sloths in face-to-face paw fights, the only type of predation that this bear was capable of. This Giant died out at the end of the ice age, yet in the minds of many, it is always present, ready to take on more formidable predators in the struggle for life and dinner...