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Amphicyonidae
Bear-dogs
7
Number of resurrected species:
Family
Order
Class
Amphicyonidae
Carnivora
Mammalia
Description
The bear-dogs are an extinct family of mainly large carnivores which evolved both wolf-like and bear-like features. Many of the species were the top predators of their time and probably hunted large animals by "wrestling" them down. Their bodies were fairly elongated with many having a large tail, well-developed forelimbs and dog-like heads.
Distribution & Fossil evidence
The family probably evolved in North America during the Middle Eocene and spread to Europe by the end of the Eocene. From there, multiple species migrated to Africa and Asia. Most of the family disappeared during the Miocene and finally went extinct during the Pliocene.
Species
There are many species of bear-dogs, ranging from small fox-sized species to one of the largest predators that ever existed.
Included genera
Magericyon, Ischyrocyon, Adilophontes, Pliocyon, Goupilictis, Cynelos, Amphicyon
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