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Post by King Kodiak on Sept 20, 2020 21:09:49 GMT -5
First report of a South American short-faced bears' den (Arctotherium angustidens): palaeobiological and palaeoecological implications
Here we report the first example of associated short-faced bear fossils from South America. The specimens represent three individuals referable to the Ensenadan (early to middle Pleistocene) species Arctotherium angustidens (Ursidae, Tremarctinae), the giant South American short-faced bear. Although the fossil record of short-faced bears in South America is very rich, they have not previously been recorded in association. These three individuals were found in a cave during quarry exploitation. We suggest that these bears represent the first record of a family group and open the discussion about cave utilization and hibernation or torpor by South American short-faced bears.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03115510902844418
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Post by brobear on Sept 21, 2020 6:32:00 GMT -5
First report of a South American short-faced bears' den (Arctotherium angustidens): palaeobiological and palaeoecological implications
Here we report the first example of associated short-faced bear fossils from South America. The specimens represent three individuals referable to the Ensenadan (early to middle Pleistocene) species Arctotherium angustidens (Ursidae, Tremarctinae), the giant South American short-faced bear. Although the fossil record of short-faced bears in South America is very rich, they have not previously been recorded in association. These three individuals were found in a cave during quarry exploitation. We suggest that these bears represent the first record of a family group and open the discussion about cave utilization and hibernation or torpor by South American short-faced bears.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03115510902844418 Something we can research. How much evidence do we have that the short-faced bears hibernated? |
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Post by OldGreenGrolar on Sept 21, 2020 7:32:50 GMT -5
And if the short faced bear hibernated, how much will it eat? Personally, I doubt it eats as much as a brown or black bear.
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Post by brobear on Sept 21, 2020 8:52:23 GMT -5
iceage.museum.state.il.us/mammals/short-faced-bear-0 Given the strong association between female short-faced bear remains and cave sites, it is likely that the female of this species used caves for denning, particularly during pregnancy (Schubert and Kaufmann 2003).
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Post by OldGreenGrolar on Sept 21, 2020 9:21:02 GMT -5
Sloth bears do not hibernate but they also use dens (females) during pregnancy. Therefore living in a den doesn't necessarily mean pregnancy.
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Post by King Kodiak on Sept 21, 2020 10:31:05 GMT -5
Well i see that the report i found yesterday brought a new topic. There is probably not much info on hibernation by short faced bears, we would have to read thru the "Tremarctinae" section of this forum again, but i cant remember anything now. The post up top is not very clear, they just found some Angustidens fossils in a cave, but they dont really know for which purpose. The Pleistocene was an ice age, still there were some hotter periods. The short faced bears were omnivores, just like modern bears. Maybe in the Pleistocene there were months with shortage of food, just like in modern times, therefore making the Short faced bears hibernate. I am just speculating of course.
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Post by brobear on Sept 21, 2020 10:59:26 GMT -5
Todays only living Tremarctinae bear living today is the Andean bear and a more distant relative, the giant panda. Neither of them hibernate.
In Europe, thousands of cave bear bones have been discovered within caves. If Arctodus simus hibernated, then bones should be found in caves and locations suitable for denning.
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Post by King Kodiak on Sept 21, 2020 11:08:04 GMT -5
Ok, but the report up top is talking specifically about Angustidens.
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Post by brobear on Sept 21, 2020 11:26:05 GMT -5
Ok, but the report up top is talking specifically about Angustidens. I'm well aware of that. And the title to this topic is, "Did Tremarctinae Bears Hibernate?" which includes Arctotherium angustidens. Have thousands of Arctotherium bones been found in caves? |
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Post by King Kodiak on Sept 21, 2020 11:31:12 GMT -5
Not that am aware of. The report up top talks about the fossils of 3 different specimens. Its the first report of a South American short-faced bears den. Am not saying they hibernated, am just saying its a possibility, am not discounting it.
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Post by King Kodiak on Sept 21, 2020 11:50:15 GMT -5
iceage.museum.state.il.us/mammals/short-faced-bear-0 Given the strong association between female short-faced bear remains and cave sites, it is likely that the female of this species used caves for denning, particularly during pregnancy (Schubert and Kaufmann 2003).
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Post by brobear on Sept 21, 2020 12:05:04 GMT -5
iceage.museum.state.il.us/mammals/short-faced-bear-0 Given the strong association between female short-faced bear remains and cave sites, it is likely that the female of this species used caves for denning, particularly during pregnancy (Schubert and Kaufmann 2003).
Yes, that report provided no details. The short-faced bears ( Arctodus and Arctotherium ) probably fed upon some vegetation when available, but obtained the majority of their meat from scavenging and kleptoparsite activity. With the huge assortment of herbivores, including the mega-fauna, There was little reason for hibernation ( IMO ) other than for females with cubs or impregnated. |
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Post by King Kodiak on Mar 8, 2021 6:16:24 GMT -5
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