The Giant Short-Faced Bear was a large prehistoric bear that lived during the late Pleistocene epoch, around 1.2 million to 11,000 years ago. It is known for its long legs and short face, which distinguished it from modern bears. This bear could weigh up to 2,500 pounds and stood about 12 feet tall when on its hind legs, making it one of the largest terrestrial mammals of its time. Fossils of the Giant Short-Faced Bear have been found across North America, particularly in areas like the La Brea Tar Pits in California. Its diet likely included a mix of plants and meat, suggesting it was an omnivore. The bear's extinction is believed to be linked to climate change and the arrival of humans.