Bears of the Pleistocene

[brotherbear]

Spalea, I agree wholeheartedly. I know that it has been accepted now pretty much as fact that Smilodon lived and hunted as a pride. I have read it both ways considering atrox. If the American lion hunted in groups, then they too would have posed a huge threat to the grizzly. If they hunted as individuals like a leopard or a tiger, then probably they would stalk the occasional sub-adult and sometimes a mature she-bear. But, loners or group hunters, the bear would no doubt do his best to avoid them. 
I also agree with your ideas concerning the La Brea tar pits. Bear fossils are scarce in comparison with Smilodon and the wolves. Perhaps like the bears, atrox would sometimes observe and recognize the danger. There is no doubt that the stench of death from the pits would draw bears from many miles around. The grizzlies and black bears were late arrivals, but even the short-faced bears are low in numbers by comparison. It had to be tough for both atrox and the bears to see and smell so much meat and walk away, even when sensing the danger. Reply