Arctotherium (meaning 'Bear Beast') is an extinct genus of short-faced bear that lived in South America during the Pleistocene and Early Holocene. One species, Arctotherium angustidens, was one of the largest mammalian land predators to ever live, weighing 3501 LBS. Possible Arctotherium fossils have been found in Mexico and El Salvador. Arctotherium migrated from North America to South America during the Great American Interchange.
Size[]
The smallest species, Arctotherium wingei, weighed 330 lbs, which is smaller than the extant Tremarctos ornatus. Another species, Arctotherium tarijense weighed up to 882 LBS, which is in between the weight of Ursus arctos collaris and the maximum weight of Atlas bear. Arctotherium bonariense weighed in at 1102 LBS. The lesser-known species, Arctotherium brasiliensis, Arctotherium enectum, Arctotherium latidens and Arctotherium pamparum have no weight calculated for them. Arctotherium angustidens had a weight of 3501 lbs, with a large specimen possibly weighing in excess of 4000 lbs.
Species[]
- Arctotherium angustidens (Ameghino & Gervais, 1880)
- Arctotherium bonariense (Gervais, 1852)
- Arctotherium brasiliensis (Lund, 1804)
- Arctotherium enectum (Ameghino, 1904)
- Arctotherium latidens (Bravard, 1857)
- Arctotherium pamparum (Ameghino, 1902)
- Arctotherium tarijense (Ameghino, 1902)
- Arctotherium wingei (Ameghino, 1902)