Bears

FINDING FLORIDA FOSSILS

Paleo-Animals living 1.8 Million to 11,000 years ago.

Arctodus simus The Short-faced Bear (3 millionÑ11,000) years ago was the biggest bear that ever lived Standing with all fours on the ground it was about 6 feet tall but when it rose up on its hind legs it was over 12 feet tall! It prowled the scrub for nuts, berries, and prey. It is hunting a bison antiquus calf.

Arctodus simus The Short-faced Bear (3 million-11,000 years ago) was the largest bear that ever lived. Standing with all fours on the ground, it was about 6 feet tall but when it rose up on its hind legs it was over 12 feet tall! It prowled the scrub for nuts, berries, and prey. Here it is hunting a Bison antiquus calf.

New Spectacled Bear

Tremarctos floradanus or Florida Spectacled Bear Still existing today in South America, they are considered to be the last remaining representatives of the short-faced bears. They are equally at home on the grasslands or deep in forest.

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