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SHORT-FACED BEAR METATARSAL - Aucilla River - North Florida, U.S.A. PLEISTOCENE PERIOD: 1.81 million years - 10,000 years ago From the Pleistocene deposits of the Aucilla River, this is an extremely rare fossil bone of an extinct Short-Faced Bear, Tremarctos floridanus. This species is sometimes referred to as the 'Florida Cave Bear'. It is an absolutely 100% PERFECT metatarsal from the left foot. Unlike most river fossils, this specimen lacks any damage or river erosion and is in a magnificent state complete with perfect joints and stunning bone surface detail preserved. Guaranteed NO REPAIR and NO RESTORATION. This beauty is AS FOUND!Tremarctos floridanus was a member of the Ursidae or bear family. This extinct beast is amongst the Tremarctine bears noted for their short snouts hence the name, 'Short-Faced Bear'. Three genera (listed in order of their emergence) once lived in North America - Plionarctos, Arctodus and finally, Tremarctos. The Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus) is the only surviving member and lives today in the jungles of South America. All were active carnivorous predators that later evolved into the omnivorous bears of today. Arctodus was a massive and terrible beast, the largest bear that ever lived in North America and exceeding in size and ferocity living Kodiaks, Grizzlies and Brown Bears. Tremarctos was a more evolved version of Arctodus and was not as large but an equally able predator. A VERY RARE FIND AND IN ABSOLUTE PERFECT CONDITION - INTACT! 3.2" long SOLD LM49-001 INCLUDES DISPLAY BOX Actual Item - One Only |
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