What were entelodonts, and where did they live?

Entelodonts were a family of extinct mammals belonging to the order artiodactyl, often described as being related to modern pigs. Ranging from medium-sized to very large, these animals were characterized by proportionally massive skulls featuring distinctive, tusklike bony projections that likely supported jaw musculature or protected the head.12

While their jaw structure initially led some researchers to suggest a carnivorous diet, evidence from their teeth and musculature indicates they were likely omnivorous, mixed feeders capable of crushing hard foods. Despite their size, their limb skeletons suggest they were fully terrestrial and adapted for running.1

Regarding their habitat, fossil evidence indicates that entelodonts first emerged during the Middle Eocene in what is now Mongolia. Over time, they spread across Asia, Europe, and North America before going extinct during the early Miocene Epoch.1