What extinct bear species is commonly called the cave bear?

The extinct bear species commonly called the cave bear is Ursus spelaeus.

Cave bears lived across much of Europe and parts of Asia during the Pleistocene, disappearing about 24,000 years ago near the Last Glacial Maximum. Their common name comes from the large number of skeletons found in caves, which they frequently used for winter hibernation.

The species was formally named by Johann Christian Rosenmüller in 1794, after earlier fossil discoveries had been mistakenly attributed to animals ranging from apes to dragons. Cave bears could reach roughly 2 metres in length and were comparable to, or larger than, the biggest living bears.

They are often described as largely herbivorous, because their teeth and anatomy show adaptations for processing vegetation. However, isotope and dental studies indicate that some populations could also eat animal matter. Scientists also debate whether several regional cave-bear populations should be treated as separate species within a broader species complex.