Our prehistoric planet was a terrifying place, thanks predominantly to the rampaging reptiles

that once ruled here. Dinosaurs. These monstrous creatures dominated the land for some

160 million years, but they weren't alone. There were other beasts from back then and a little

while after that could have given even the biggest dinosaurs a run for their money. From massive

monstrosities lurking beneath the waves to huge human-like Goliaths that haunted the forests,

here are even more animals that were way, way scarier than the dinosaurs.

You're listening. You're listening.

You're listening to be amazed.

Come face to face with a 700-pound grizzly bear nowadays is a pretty terrifying scenario. So just imagine what it was like two and a half million years ago when Arctidas roamed the earth.

A bear that was almost three times the size of the modern grizzly.

Nicknamed the giant short-faced bear, or bulldog bear,

estimates have these beasts weighing in at more than 2,000 pounds at their largest.

They stood some five feet at the shoulder and over 12 feet tall on their hind legs

towering over early humans who stood on average at just four feet tall.

Yep, this bear only died out about 11,000 years ago due to habitat changes during the Ice Age,

which means that some early humans actually encountered this beefy bear in the flesh not so long ago.

And that's not even the half of it.

With its long limbs specially evolved to help it chase its prey,

Arctodus would have been the fastest running bear ever,

reaching a top speed of 40 miles an hour, despite

its incredible weight.

With a good sense of smell and superb eyesight, it was a savage hunter, regularly sinking

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