Basic Carnivora Info
Amphicyon
Amphicyon was a large genus of “bear-dog”, so called because of the similarties it shared with both dogs and bears. It lived in the Oligocene and Miocene of North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. At up to 190 pounds and up to 8 feet long, it was most likely an omnivore.
Arctodus
Arctodus was a large, omnivorous bear living in the Pleistocene of North America. Commonly known as the “giant short-faced bear”, it stood nearly 6 feet tall on all fours, 13 feet tall on its hind legs, and weighed up to 2,100 lbs. It’s massive size made it the largest bear in the fossil record, though some heavier modern bears have been recorded.
Canis dirus
Canis dirus, most often referred to as the Dire Wolf, lived in North and South America during the Pleistocene. It was larger than the modern Gray Wolf and was mainly, though not completely, carnivorous. The Dire Wolf would have been up to 5 feet long and nearly 200 pounds.
Daphoenus
Daphoenus was a small, coyote-sized “bear-dog”, closely related to Amphicyon (above). It lived in North America during the Eocene and Miocene.
Dinictis
Dinictis, while often referred to as a saber-toothed cat, was actually not a cat, but a Nimravid. Nimravids were mainly set apart from cats by their different inner ear structure. Dinictis lived during the Eocene and Oligocene in North America and would have been under 4 feet long.
Hoplophoneus
Hoplophoneus was another North American Nimravid living during the late Eocene to Oligocene. It was a bit larger than Dinictis, and its “saber teeth” were larger as well. It would have resembled a slender, long-bodied Smilodon (below).
Megantereon
Megantereon was a true saber-toothed cat. Fragmentary remains have been found in North America, Eurasia, and Africa in Pliocene deposits. Averaging about 250 pounds, it might have used its large teeth to quickly slice through the underside of its prey’s neck. This would have quickly severed blood vessels and the windpipe, allowing Megantereon to avoid a potentially dangerous struggle. Instead, it could leave its prey to die on its own. Megantereon’s canines, like those of other saber-toothed cats, were not designed to “hold on” until the prey died (like modern large cats do). The teeth could break in such conditions.
Panthera leo atrox
Panthera leo atrox, known as the North American Lion, lived during the Pleistocene, alongside saber-toothed cats. It was very closely related to modern lions, and could have weighed up to 1,100 pounds.
Smilodon
Smilodon was another saber-toothed cat, living in North and South America during the Pleistocene. The North and South American Smilodon fatalis would have been about the same size as a modern Siberian Tiger. The South American Smilodon populator would have been larger still, at up to 1100 pounds.
Ursus Spelaeus
Ursus Spelaeus was a European species of bear known as the Cave Bear. It lived during the Pleistocene. Built like a large Brown Bear, it might have weighed about 2000 pounds, similar in size to the Kodiak Brown Bear.
Amphicyon
Amphicyon was a large genus of “bear-dog”, so called because of the similarties it shared with both dogs and bears. It lived in the Oligocene and Miocene of North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. At up to 190 pounds and up to 8 feet long, it was most likely an omnivore.
Arctodus
Arctodus was a large, omnivorous bear living in the Pleistocene of North America. Commonly known as the “giant short-faced bear”, it stood nearly 6 feet tall on all fours, 13 feet tall on its hind legs, and weighed up to 2,100 lbs. It’s massive size made it the largest bear in the fossil record, though some heavier modern bears have been recorded.
Canis dirus
Canis dirus, most often referred to as the Dire Wolf, lived in North and South America during the Pleistocene. It was larger than the modern Gray Wolf and was mainly, though not completely, carnivorous. The Dire Wolf would have been up to 5 feet long and nearly 200 pounds.
Daphoenus
Daphoenus was a small, coyote-sized “bear-dog”, closely related to Amphicyon (above). It lived in North America during the Eocene and Miocene.
Dinictis
Dinictis, while often referred to as a saber-toothed cat, was actually not a cat, but a Nimravid. Nimravids were mainly set apart from cats by their different inner ear structure. Dinictis lived during the Eocene and Oligocene in North America and would have been under 4 feet long.
Hoplophoneus
Hoplophoneus was another North American Nimravid living during the late Eocene to Oligocene. It was a bit larger than Dinictis, and its “saber teeth” were larger as well. It would have resembled a slender, long-bodied Smilodon (below).
Megantereon
Megantereon was a true saber-toothed cat. Fragmentary remains have been found in North America, Eurasia, and Africa in Pliocene deposits. Averaging about 250 pounds, it might have used its large teeth to quickly slice through the underside of its prey’s neck. This would have quickly severed blood vessels and the windpipe, allowing Megantereon to avoid a potentially dangerous struggle. Instead, it could leave its prey to die on its own. Megantereon’s canines, like those of other saber-toothed cats, were not designed to “hold on” until the prey died (like modern large cats do). The teeth could break in such conditions.
Panthera leo atrox
Panthera leo atrox, known as the North American Lion, lived during the Pleistocene, alongside saber-toothed cats. It was very closely related to modern lions, and could have weighed up to 1,100 pounds.
Smilodon
Smilodon was another saber-toothed cat, living in North and South America during the Pleistocene. The North and South American Smilodon fatalis would have been about the same size as a modern Siberian Tiger. The South American Smilodon populator would have been larger still, at up to 1100 pounds.
Ursus Spelaeus
Ursus Spelaeus was a European species of bear known as the Cave Bear. It lived during the Pleistocene. Built like a large Brown Bear, it might have weighed about 2000 pounds, similar in size to the Kodiak Brown Bear.
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text, photos, and website Copyright Nick Pfannenstiel
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