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When did canids spread from North America to Eurasia, Africa, and South America?
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canine
A hardy sled dog.
The family Canidae was originally endemic to North America, where fossils confirm their presence from the late Eocene Epoch through the late Miocene Epoch.1
Following their origin in North America, canids expanded into other regions during the following periods:
- Eurasia: Canids spread across the continent by 9 million years ago, with the earliest Old World fossils appearing in the late Miocene of Spain.1
- Africa: They reached the continent approximately 4β5 million years ago.1
- South America: Canids arrived in South America by 2 million years ago.1