Explore this animal in Size of Extinct Animals ↗
246 / Cenozoic
Amphicyon
Amphicyon ingens
A bear-heavy torso combined with a dog-like long skull and tail, inspiring the name bear-dog.
View original image · 1536 × 1024- Time range
- About 16–9 million years ago
- Final stage
- Late Miocene
- Geographic range
- Grassland and open woodland · North America
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Amphicyon?
Amphicyon (Amphicyon ingens) was an extinct organism known from About 16–9 million years ago, with a range in Grassland and open woodland · North America.
Life and ecology
Amphicyon was an extinct amphicyonid able to kill large prey and scavenge. It was heavier and more plantigrade than typical dogs, not a long-distance pursuit runner.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Amphicyon disappear?
More open habitats, changing prey and competition with cats and dogs are proposed context for the narrowing of the large bear-dog niche; the cause for this genus is not established.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Amphicyon?
Skulls, teeth and near-complete skeletons show a powerful front body and teeth able to slice and crush.
04 / SOURCES & FURTHER READING
Check the source record
Use the scientific name to compare taxonomy, occurrence records and the fossil record. Database coverage and classifications may differ.
05 / REVISION HISTORY
How has this record changed?
- Rewrote an extinction cause that presented environmental or faunal turnover as established; it is now given as context the record does not prove.
- Verified authoritative entity sources and added three responsive reconstruction sizes.
- Initial bilingual species record published.
06 / CORRECTIONS & ADDITIONS