Eusmilus
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| ?Eusmilus Conservation status: Fossil |
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Eusmilus ('well-knifed') is an extinct genus of mammal related to felines. It was a dirk-toothed cat found in France and parts of North America during the late Oligocene (30.5-28.5 million years ago).
The 2,50 m (8 ft) long Eusmilus had a long body and was about as tall as a leopard. It had developed long saber teeth and looked like a saber-toothed cat, but was actually a so-called 'false saber-tooth'. Most were leopard-sized and rather long-bodied and short-legged compared to modern leopards. Some reached 2.5 metres (8 ft) long. Eusmilus had lost many other teeth, possessing only 26 instead of the 44 usually seen in carnivore mammals. Its mouth could open to a widt of 90 degrees, allowing the creature to properly use its saber teeth. Sheath-shaped body growths projected from Eusmilus's lower jaw to protect the sabers (this is also seen in the unrelated marsupial Thylacosmilus). There is fossil evidence of conflict between Eusmilus and Nimravus.
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