Cave bears could disappear from the face of the Earth not because of competition.
Scientists have identified the root cause of the extinction of cave bears — the largest predators of the ice age, extinct about 15 thousand years ago. This is with reference to the report presented at the conference on vertebrate paleontology (WA).
Before the extinction of the bears was explained by several reasons, including climate change, too specialized diet and features hibernation. To give the most accurate explanation, Finnish paleontologists studied the teeth of wild beasts: their condition clearly indicates the health of individuals.
Using conventional dental equipment, the scientists obtained three-dimensional images of the molars of the lower jaw as a cave-like other species of bears of the Northern hemisphere (including white and Himalayan). They then compared the device dental crowns in different species. It turned out that the most complex structure in the crown at cave bears. It tells about the most specialized plant-based diet and the inability to switch to another food.
In may 2016 paleontologists from the Potsdam University found that extinct cave bears created analogues families and were more sedentary than their congeners of other species. They with their families were attached to certain caves and could not find a replacement when the ancients kicked them out.
