Arctotherium

### Attributes

Large size (largest bear species known); dark brown; brute strength; amazing speed; endurance & stamina; razor-sharp teeth & claws; heavier build than other bears

### Height

2 m (6.56 ft; on all fours)4 m (13.12 ft; on hind legs)

## Biography

### Locations

North and South America, Eurasia

***Arctotherium*** (name meaning "*Bear Beast*"), also known as ***The Great Bear***, is a genus of large prehistoric bear that originated during the Early Pleistocene epoch in what is now North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. The largest bear species that ever existed, reaching a standing height of 4 meters tall and weighing more than a ton, *Arctotherium* was arguably the largest terrestrial mammalian carnivore of all time.

In the Series 3 finale, "*Mammoth Undertaking Journey*", a large male *Arctotherium*, named Kodi, was brought back to the park from Late Pleistocene Eurasia around 30,000 years ago. He was later introduced to a rescued female named Alaka. They reside in the Bear Country Enclosure.

## Facts

### Era & Discovery

*Arctotherium* lived in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia during the Pleistocene epoch, around 2 million years ago, and died out at the end of the Ice Age around 10,000 years ago. Undoubtedly the apex predator of the Ice Age, it lived alongside animals like the *Dire Wolf*, *Hagerman Horse*, *Camelops*, the *American Lion*, *Megaloceros*, and the *Woolly Mammoth* and *Columbian Mammoth*.

*Arctotherium* was discovered and named by Hermann Burmeister in 1879.

### Physical Attributes

More powerfully built than any other species of bear, physically, *Arctotherium* looked very similar to regular Kodiak bears, only much larger and more muscular. In fact, *Arctotherium* was also the largest species of bear ever discovered, standing 6 – 7 feet (2 – 2.2 m) on all four legs, reaching a rearing height between 11 and 14 feet (3.4 and 4.3 m) tall, and weighing around 1 – 2 tons (2,204 – 4,409 lbs). This makes *Arctotherium* arguably the largest and most powerful terrestrial mammalian carnivore of all time, larger than the largest modern Polar bear and rivaled by *Andrewsarchus* and *Hyaenodon*.

Despite their large size, *Arctotherium* was a very fast animal, able to reach speeds in excess of 20 – 45 mph (32 – 72 km/h) and run over a long distance. This is because their front and rear legs were equal in length as opposed to even the largest modern bears in which their front legs are shorter than their back legs, which allows them to reach speeds of up to 35 mph (53 km/h) and run over a short distance. *Arctotherium* was also an exceptional swimmer, much like modern polar bears.

Unlike some bears, *Arctotherium* did not have fatty humps on their backs. They also exhibited major sexual dimorphism, as the female of the species was much smaller in size than the quite large male. Although *Arctotherium* was gigantic, it was incapable of climbing trees like most modern bears.

Regardless of gender or size, *Arctotherium* was a very large mammalian carnivore. They had long arms armed with sharp claws and, much like *Tyrannosaurus rex*, they also had a mouth of bone-crushing teeth, though not quite as strong. *Arctotherium* also had a thick hide which kept them warm during the winter. However, despite these attributes, *Arctotherium* did have one weakness; their underside. Whenever they stood on their back legs, another animal could attack them at their underside. Because of their giant size, *Arctotheriums* were also very physically strong animals. All these attributes make *Arctotherium* the most powerful terrestrial mammalian carnivore of all time.

### Behavior & Traits

Like many mammalian carnivores, *Arctotherium* was both a social and solitary animal. As with many species of bears, *Arctotherium* lived in large and fairly deep caves. The caves would start out as a relatively long walkway while the main section would be a large den where the bear would sleep or eat. The females were highly protective of their cubs and the males were known to be cannibalistic, eating a bear cub if they were ever hungry. Males had large territories of around 200 square miles (518 square kilometers).

As with most other bears, though hypercarnivorous, even *Arctotherium* was also a generalist feeder, not being a very carnivorous bear and, therefore, eating berries and vegetation, as well as scavenging carrion, and killing other animals. If necessary, they would even hunt larger prey, even ones as mighty as the *Mammoth*. In winter months, they would hibernate in caves like modern bears. And in order to hibernate in winter, they would eat berries and early spring vegetation as well as fish to last them several months.

When hunting, *Arctotherium* would stalk its prey for several minutes before attacking. When ready to attack, they would erupt out of their hiding spots, such as bushes and trees, and physically overpower and attack their prey with their teeth and claws until the prey was dead. After making a kill, *Arctotherium* would cover their food with leaves and dirt. They would then leave for a while, come back at a later time, and finish their meal.

If an *Arctotherium* was found in a cave and awoken, it would chase away, not hunt, whatever it was that disturbed it in its sleep. But either way, whether chasing an intruder, hunting prey or even fighting a rival, like all bears, *Arctotherium* was able to rear up on its hind legs to intimate its opponents. Unlike most bears, *Arctotherium* couldn't climb trees. However, they didn't need to. Much like the sauropod dinosaurs, *Arctotherium* were able to use their raw physical strength to bring trees and certain rocks down.

## Prehistoric Earth: A Natural History

### Season 3

Whilst exploring Late Pleistocene Siberia, Allen and Rebecca comes across a cave and decide to investigate it. When they enter, they accidentally awaken an enormous hibernating *Arctotherium*. The couple slowly exit the cave, but unfortunately, the bear follows and chases them through the forest. Luckily, they are able to escape by climb up a tree. The bear then returns to its cave, roaring at the pair.

Later near a barely frozen pond, after the crew had already found a herd of Woolly Mammoths led by a matriarch (Martha), Chrissie explores the edges of the woods, but is ambushed by the bear and falls back to the group. The bear stalks the crew throughout the forest. After they get the trapped Mammoth out of the pond, the crew works on getting the herd to the park. They and the mammoth herd stand their ground when the bear reappears and attacks the team. Once they leave the area, Allen, Rebecca, Chrissie, and the rest of the team open the time portal and get both the Woolly Mammoth herd and the bear through.

## Trivia

* The sound effects for *Arctotherium* are that of typical bear sound effects as well as bull, crocodile, elephant, lion, tiger, snake, and walrus sound effects and resued t rex from jurassic park to give it a more intimidating appearance.
* *Arctotherium* died out long before 11,000 years ago. Allen even pointed this out right after the chase.
* *Arctotherium* is the largest and strongest terrestrial mammalian carnivore brought to the park.