- Size: Cave bears were larger than modern-day brown bears. Males could reach a shoulder height of up to 10 feet (3 meters) and weigh over 2,200 pounds (1,000 kilograms). Females were smaller, with an average weight of around 1,500 pounds (680 kilograms).
- Habitat: Cave bears inhabited caves and rock shelters throughout Europe and parts of Asia. These environments provided shelter and protection from the harsh Ice Age climate.
- Diet: Cave bears were omnivores and had a varied diet that included plants, fruits, insects, and meat. They were opportunistic predators and would hunt animals such as deer, elk, and reindeer. However, they were mainly herbivorous, and evidence suggests that they spent most of their time grazing on plants and fruits.
- Predators: Cave bears did not have many natural predators. However, in some areas, they may have been hunted by humans, as early humans lived alongside cave bears during the Pleistocene epoch.
- Extinction: The cave bear became extinct around 25,000 years ago, during the end of the Pleistocene epoch. The exact reasons for their extinction are not fully understood but are likely related to a combination of factors, including climate change, competition with other species, and hunting by humans.
- Cave bear remains: Fossils of cave bears have been found in many caves and rock shelters throughout Europe and Asia, along with their bones, teeth, and claws. These remains have provided scientists with valuable insights into the anatomy, behavior, and ecological role of cave bears.
Some cave bears were incredibly huge, with males reaching heights of 11.8 feet (3.6 meters) at the shoulder and weights of 2,200 pounds (1,000 kilograms)—or perhaps even more. This makes the species one of the biggest bears that ever existed.