Bear dog facts for kids
The Amphicyonidae, also known as bear dogs, were a group of large, meat-eating animals. They are now extinct, meaning they no longer live on Earth. These fascinating creatures were part of the dog family tree, but they looked a bit like a mix between a bear and a dog!
Quick facts for kids Amphicyonidae |
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| Skeleton of Amphicyon | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Suborder: | Caniformia |
| Family: | †Amphicyonidae Haeckel, 1886 |
| Subfamilies | |
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†Amphicyoninae |
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Contents
Meet the Bear Dogs!
Bear dogs were a family of powerful hunters. They walked on land and ate other animals. Even though they are called "bear dogs," they were more closely related to modern dogs. They belonged to a group of animals called Caniformia. This group includes dogs, bears, seals, and raccoons.
When and Where Did They Live?
Bear dogs lived for a very long time. They roamed the Earth from about 46 million years ago to 1.8 million years ago. That's a huge stretch of time! They were found all over the world. You could find them in North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
How They Traveled
These amazing animals first appeared in the "Old World." This term usually means Europe, Asia, and Africa. Later, some bear dogs made a big journey. They crossed over to the Americas. This happened during a time called the Miocene epoch.
They likely crossed using a land bridge. This bridge connected Asia and North America. It was located where the Bering Strait is today. This allowed them to spread across new continents.
Images for kids
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Restoration of Amphicyon ingens
See also
In Spanish: Anficiónidos para niños
