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245 / Cenozoic
Hyaenodon
Hyaenodon horridus
A long skull held powerful jaw muscles, while slicing molars evolved independently from carnivoran carnassials.
- Time range
- About 37–34 million years ago
- Final stage
- End of the Eocene
- Geographic range
- Open woodland and river valleys · North America
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Hyaenodon?
Hyaenodon (Hyaenodon horridus) was an extinct organism known from About 37–34 million years ago, with a range in Open woodland and river valleys · North America.
Life and ecology
Hyaenodon was a hyaenodont, not a hyena. It pursued small and medium mammals on digitigrade feet with a long body and relatively small braincase.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Hyaenodon disappear?
Eocene–Oligocene cooling, changing prey and expanding carnivorans contributed to hyaenodont decline in North America.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Hyaenodon?
Skulls, shearing teeth and limbs reveal bite and gait; wear and isotopes support meat eating.
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?
- Verified authoritative entity sources and added three responsive reconstruction sizes.
- Initial bilingual species record published.
06 / CORRECTIONS & ADDITIONS