The cave bear was a large species of bear that lived in Europe and parts of Asia during the Pleistocene epoch. It is known for its massive size, with some individuals weighing over 1,000 pounds. Cave bears primarily inhabited caves, which provided shelter and protection from the elements. They mainly fed on vegetation, including fruits and herbs, and are believed to have hibernated during the winter months. Cave bears became extinct around 24,000 years ago, likely due to a combination of climate change and competition with early humans. Fossils of cave bears have been found in various archaeological sites, often alongside remains of Neanderthals and early modern humans, indicating that they coexisted during the late Pleistocene.