7 Facts About an Extinct Giant Bear You've Probably Never Heard Of

Meet the Short-Faced Bear, the extinct 2,ooo-pound mammal that could chase down wild horses like a cheetah. 

Throughout earth's long history, some animals have flourished to this day, while others have been phased out for various reasons. Some have received a lot of attention in pop culture, but this mammal is often overlooked. It's time to shed some light on possibly the most frightening extinct mammal we've come across: the short-faced bear.

1. This bear roamed North America up to approximately 11,000 years ago. According to sources, it was the most common early North American bear.

2. It's been estimated that the bears would have had to eat approximately 35 pounds of meat every day in order to survive.

3. Short-Faced Bear fossils have been found all over the world, from Alaska to Mississippi.

4. The bear's population would have peaked about 800,000 years ago.

5. Even with their incredible stature, the bears could run up to 40 miles per hour and chase prey or scare any other game away from the spoils of a successful hunt.

6. A mature short-faced bear could reach a height of 14 feet when standing.

7. The short-faced bear would weigh in at an unfathomable 2,000 pounds. A male grizzly, for comparison, weighs about 600.

It's remarkable to think a creature of this stature roamed and hunted on earth only 11,000 years ago. Who would attempt to hunt a bear of this size?

NEXT: A TOUCHING TRIBUTE FOR A HUNTING BUDDY WHO PASSED