The short-faced bear, known scientifically as Arctodus simus, was a large bear species that lived in North America during the Pleistocene epoch. It is characterized by its long legs and short snout, which gave it a unique appearance compared to modern bears. This bear could weigh up to 2,500 pounds and was one of the largest terrestrial mammivores of its time. Short-faced bears were primarily scavengers and likely preyed on large herbivores like mammoths and bison. They roamed a variety of habitats, from open grasslands to forests. Their extinction occurred around 11,000 years ago, possibly due to climate change and competition with other predators.