Arctocyon

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Arctocyon
Fossil range: Early to Late Paleocene

Conservation status
Fossil
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: †Condylarthra
Family: †Arctocyonidae
Subfamily: †Arctocyoninae
Genus: †Arctocyon
Blainville, 1841
Type species
†Arctocyon primaevus
Species
  • †A. acrogenius
  • †A. corrugatus
  • †A. ferox
  • †A. matthesi
  • †A. montanensis
  • †A. mumak
  • †A. primaevus

Arctocyon ('bear dog') is an extinct genus of condylarth mammals. The jackal-sized creature was plantigrade, that is, it walked on the soles of its feet, like a bear, and probably had a long prehensile tail (like its relative Chriacus). Although probably mainly terrestrial, it is possible that it also climbed trees. Arctocyon was probably an omnivore.

Skull of Arctocyon primaevus.
Skull of Arctocyon primaevus.
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