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Lycopsis
Temporal range: Mid-Late Miocene (Santacrucian-Chasicoan)
~16.3–9.0Ma
Lycopsis longirostris AMNH.jpg
Fossil of L. longirostrus
Scientific classification
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Lycopsis

Cabrera 1927
Species
  • L. torresi Cabrera 1927 (type species)
  • L. longirostrus Marshall 1976
  • L. viverensis Forasiepi et al. 2003
Synonyms
  • Anatherium oxyrhynchus Ameghino 1894

Lycopsis was an ancient animal that lived a long, long time ago. It was a type of metatherian, which are a group of mammals that include modern-day kangaroos and opossums. Lycopsis is now extinct, meaning it no longer exists. It lived in South America during a time called the Miocene epoch, in what is now the country of Colombia.

About Lycopsis

Lycopsis was a meat-eating animal. It was part of a group called borhyaenids. These animals were once tree-dwellers, meaning they lived in trees. Over time, they changed their way of life. They started living more on the ground.

How Lycopsis Hunted

Scientists believe Lycopsis was an "ambush hunter." This means it would hide and wait quietly for its prey. Then, it would suddenly attack. It probably hunted small to medium-sized animals. It was not built for long chases. Its skeleton shows it wasn't a very fast runner on the ground.

Lycopsis longirostris
Skull of Lycopsis

Where Lycopsis Lived

Lycopsis fossils have been found in South America. They lived in areas that are now Colombia and Argentina. These fossils help scientists learn about ancient life. They also show how animals changed over millions of years.

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