CAVE BEAR SKELETON. ...

Description

CAVE BEAR SKELETON
Ursus uralensis
Pleistocene
Russia
The Ice Age cave bear was the largest of all bears, related to but out sizing today's modern black, brown and polar bears. This imposing example represents a virtually complete bear skeleton mounted in attack position and although it has been articulated using the fossil bones from several individuals it is scientifically accurate, with little restoration and well-preserved enamel to the teeth. Beyond differences to the form of the skull it is strikingly similar to the European Ursus spelaeus, but the Russian "cave" bear may not in fact have been a true cave-dweller; although many of their remains have been recovered from caves in the Ural mountains, it has been suggested that the bears gathered in numbers in such shelter for the hibernation period, from about 300,000 to 10,000 years ago. This museum-quality display specimen has been finely prepared and measures an impressive 98 inches high on its metal armature and display stand.

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