Name:
Hoplophoneus (Greek for "armed murderer"); pronounced HOP-low-PHONE-ee-us
Habitat:
Woodlands of North America
Historical Epoch:
Late Eocene-Early Oligocene (38-33 million years ago)
Size and Weight:
About four feet long and 100 pounds
Diet:
Meat
Distinguishing Characteristics:
Short limbs; long, sharp canines
About Hoplophoneus:
Hoplophoneus wasn't technically a true saber-toothed cat, but that didn't make it any less dangerous to the smaller animals of its day. Judging by this prehistoric cat's anatomy--especially its relatively short limbs--experts believe Hoplophoneus perched patiently on the high branches of trees, then leaped on its prey and inflicted fatal wounds with its long, sharp canines (hence its name, Greek for "armed murderer"). Like another prehistoric cat, Eusmilus, Hoplophoneus tucked its murderous teeth into specially adapted, fleshy pouches on its lower jaw when they weren't being used.
