Arctocyon

Arctocyon was a genus of primitive, generalized mammals that lived during the early Tertiary Period, specifically the Paleocene Epoch (66 to 56 million years ago). These mammals may be part of the direct ancestral line of modern carnivores.123

The Paleocene Epoch was characterized by the absence of dinosaurs and the rapid proliferation of mammals. Arctocyon is noted for having canines and triangular premolars, suggesting a diet that could include meat. These early mammals were part of a diverse group that included hoofed animals and forms ancestral to later, more advanced ungulates.14