On offer is a fantastic complete specimen of a cave bear. This big male stands 115 cm tall, and almost 2 metres in length. A museum piece worthy of a center piece in anyone's collection. The European cave bear, scientifically known as Ursus spelaeus, was a remarkable prehistoric creature that roamed the European continent during the Pleistocene epoch, from around 300,000 to 15,000 years ago. It is often referred to as the "cave bear" due to its frequent association with caves, where numerous fossils of this species have been discovered. The European cave bear was an imposing beast, much larger than its modern relative, the brown bear. Adult males could weigh up to 1,500 pounds (680 kg) and reach lengths of nearly 11 feet (3.3 meters). These bears were well-adapted to the harsh glacial conditions of the Ice Age, boasting a robust body and powerful limbs. One of the most fascinating aspects of the European cave bear was its connection to caves. While it didn't exclusively dwell in caves, it frequently hibernated in them during the winter months, leaving behind a wealth of fossilized remains. Researchers have found not only skeletons but also claw marks on cave walls, suggesting their use of caves as shelter. The diet of Ursus spelaeus primarily consisted of vegetation, such as herbs and shrubs, but they were omnivorous and would also consume small animals and fish. Their dental adaptations were indicative of a herbivorous lifestyle. The extinction of the European cave bear remains a subject of scientific debate. Climate change and habitat loss due to advancing glaciers likely played a role, but human hunting might have also been a contributing factor. The decline of this magnificent species serves as a poignant reminder of the complex interplay between prehistoric megafauna and the changing environment. Today, the European cave bear lives on in our imagination and scientific research, as fossils continue to reveal insights into the Earth's ancient past and the fascinating creatures that once called it home. Because of its size we prefer to sell this specimen within Europe so all bidders from outside the European union should we aware that shipping it will be on their account and responsability. We can arrange local pick up or a personal delivery within a 1000 km range, obviously at fixed delivery price of 1 euro per kilometer. (so 1000 km, is a 1000 euro) Otherwise, shipping can be arranged for the indicated price. The item will be safely packed in a wooden crate and is easily mounted, we will provide an instructional video, you don't need to be an expert, mounting takes about 30 minutes. Willendorf Gallery aims to collect, preserve and display prehistoric artefacts and fossils, making them accessible for a broad audience through artistically mounted objects, and acquainting people with our distant past, hence protecting our natural and human heritance. This specimen comes with an invoice and detailed documentation proving its provenance. The item belonged to an old Dutch collection and was in the early nineties in the Netherlands. ( newspaper articles to prove it) Good luck to all bidders! #MorganNiquetCollection #cabinetofcuriosities