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Harpagolestes

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Harpagolestes
Temporal range: Middle Eocene–Late Eocene
Skull of H. immanis
Scientific classification
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Harpagolestes
Species
  • H. immanis
  • H. koreanicus
  • H. orientalis

Harpagolestes (hooked thief) is an extinct genus of hyena like, bear sized mesonychid mesonychian that lived in Central and Eastern Asia during the middle to late Eocene.

Jaw

Fossil specimens have been recovered in Mongolia, China, and at least one species in Korea. Harpagolestes exhibits strong, curved canine teeth, a deep lower jaw, massive skull, and heavy wear on the molars. This along with stout limb bones suggest that Harpagolestes was a scavenger and did not pursue its prey. The wear on the molars suggests it regularly cracked bones.