Viverravidae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Viverravidae |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| (unranked): | Carnivoramorpha |
| Superfamily: | †Viverravoidea Wortman & Matthew, 1899 |
| Family: | †Viverravidae Wortman & Matthew 1899 |
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Didymictidae |
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The Viverravidae were an extinct group of early mammal carnivores. They belonged to a larger group called Miacoidea. These animals lived a very long time ago, from the early Paleocene to the Eocene periods. They first appeared in North America about 60 million years ago.
These ancient carnivores had some unique features. For example, they had fewer molars (grinding teeth) than many other animals, with only two in each jaw. Their skulls were also quite long.
Scientists used to think that Viverravidae were the very first true carnivores. However, newer studies looking closely at their skull shape and structure suggest they are not directly related to the living carnivores we see today. This means they are a separate branch on the animal family tree, outside the main group called Carnivora.
See also
In Spanish: Viverrávidos para niños
