Chamitataxus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids ChamitataxusTemporal range: Late Miocene
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Chamitataxus
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avitus
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Chamitataxus was a type of ancient badger. It lived about 6 million years ago. This was during a time called the Late Miocene period. Its home was in what is now North America. Chamitataxus avitus is the only known kind of this badger.
Scientists have found very few fossils of these badgers. Chamitataxus is thought to be the oldest type of badger from North America. Before its discovery, only two other ancient badger types were known. These were Taxidea and Pliotaxidea.
Contents
Discovering Chamitataxus
The First Fossil Find
Scientists know about Chamitataxus from only one fossil. This special fossil is called a holotype. It is a nearly complete skull. This skull was found in 1935. It was discovered near a town called Lyden in New Mexico.
Naming the Ancient Badger
The Chamitataxus was named after the place it was found. It was discovered in a rock formation called the Chamita Formation. This is a layer of rock where many fossils are found. Another ancient animal, Osbornoceros, was also found there. Osbornoceros was an ancient plant-eating animal.
What We Know About Chamitataxus
Similar to Modern Badgers
Chamitataxus was likely very similar to badgers today. It was a carnivore, meaning it ate meat. Its skull suggests it looked much like modern badgers. However, because only one skull has been found, we don't know its exact size. Many other details about this ancient badger remain a mystery.
Hunting Skills
Like badgers today, Chamitataxus had a great sense of smell. It also had a very strong grip. These skills helped it hunt animals that lived in burrows. It could kill its prey with a bite to the neck.
Chamitataxus was also good at hearing. It could hear quiet, low-frequency sounds from far away. This helped it find prey. Scientists believe Chamitataxus was a skilled hunter. It could catch many different land animals during the Miocene period.
See also
