| False Sabertooth Dinictis |
Size:
Habitat:
Primary prey:
Conservation Status: Extinct.
Distribution: This ancient cat lived in the Middle Oligocene (32 million years ago) in North America.
Notable Features: This biting cat called Dinictis found plenty of food on the ancient plains of what is now North Dakota. The strong teeth and claws were vicious weapons for attack. Dinictis was called a false saber tooth because of the long saber-like teeth.
The pig like animal, Archaeotherium, was but a distant relative of a true pig and looked more like an African warthog. This ferocious animal was found in large numbers and was probably more than a match for the cat. This skeleton of Archaeotherium stands two and one half feet high, but some close relatives were six feet high at the shoulder.
|
|
|
Produced by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. © Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Foundation This page was made possible by a grant from Friskies Pet Care Corporation and the National Science Foundation. All photographic images contained within these web pages ARE COPYRIGHTED and may not be reproduced, or utilized in any manner, without the express written consent the owner. Page design by Jim Angus |