Here's a breakdown:
Cave Bear (Ursus spelaeus)
* Appearance: Large, stocky build with a pronounced hump over the shoulders. They were typically larger than modern brown bears.
* Habitat: Caves in Europe and Asia during the Pleistocene epoch.
* Diet: Mostly herbivorous, but likely opportunistic omnivores.
* Extinction: Extinct around 24,000 years ago, possibly due to climate change and competition with humans.
Short-Faced Bear (Arctodus simus)
* Appearance: Characterized by a short, flattened face, long legs, and massive size. They were even larger than cave bears.
* Habitat: North America during the Pleistocene epoch.
* Diet: Likely omnivorous, possibly specializing in scavenging large carcasses.
* Extinction: Extinct around 11,000 years ago, possibly due to climate change or overhunting by humans.
Key differences:
* Geographic range: Cave bears lived in Europe and Asia, while short-faced bears lived in North America.
* Size: While both were large, short-faced bears were generally larger than cave bears.
* Facial structure: Cave bears had a more typical bear-like face, while short-faced bears had a distinct short, flat face.
* Diet: Cave bears were primarily herbivores, while short-faced bears were likely more omnivorous and opportunistic scavengers.
So, while both were large, prehistoric bears, they are distinct species with different characteristics and habitats.