Hoplophoneus
extinct mammal
Quick Summary
Hoplophoneus was a genus of primitive, North American saber-toothed cats belonging to the family Nimravidae. These extinct carnivores lived during the Eocene and Oligocene epochs. They are characterized by their saber-like upper canine teeth, which were elongated, curved, and used for piercing or slashing. While often referred to as saber-toothed cats, they are distinct from the later Smilodon genus, which lived much later in the Pleistocene epoch. The name Hoplophoneus itself comes from Greek roots meaning "murderous".12
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