Patriofelis Fossil range: Middle Eocene PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N
Patriofelis skeleton
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Creodonta
Family:	Oxyaenidae
Genus:	Patriofelis ?, ?
Species
P. ulta P. ferox

Restoration by Charles R. Knight

Skull of Patriofelis ulta

Patriofelis ferox

Patriofelis(Latin Father Cat) was a large, cat-like oxyaenid creodont of middle Eocene, some 45 million years ago in North America. It was around 1.2 to 1.8 metres (3.9 to 5.9 ft) long, not including the tail, making it around the same size as a modern panther. It had short legs with broad feet, suggesting that it may have been a poor runner, but a quite good swimmer. As its close relative Oxyaena was a reasonably good climber, it is possible Patriofelis could climb as well (Robbins 2006). It is found in particular at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, in the U.S. state of Oregon.

[edit] References

• Neal Robbins 2006, Paleontology Discussions, Patriofelis - A Creodont, August 2nd, 2006, 08:17 PM

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