Is it true that in prehistoric times there used to be giant bears?
The largest known bears are the giant short faced bear (Arctodus simus being the larger of the 2 species), Agriotherium – a Genus of several bear species and the largest of all – Ursus maritimus tyrannus. Arctodus simus is commonly overstated in size and weight, in truth although tall due to long legs, their overall build meant that they were as large as very large polar bears. Ursus maritimus tyrannus is an extinct (as the other 2 are also) subspecies of the modern polar bear (itself descended from a clade of brown bears). It was much larger than the modern polar bear and easily exceeded 2000 lbs, perhaps more than 2500 lbs in large males, truly colossal among bears. I’m afraid there is no biological animal known that could perform the feat you mention ! Maddie – the kodiak is a living subspecies of the brown bear (its largest subspecies) and second to the polar bear in size.
