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'''Dinofelis''' ("terrible cat") is a genus of Machairodontin saber-toothed cats belonging to the tribe Metailurini that lived in Europe, Asia, Africa and North America approximately 5-1.5 million years ago (most of which would have been in the Pliocene). Deposits containing fossils of the tribe Metailurini and genus ''Dinofelis'' range from the Miocene to early Pleistocene.
In size it was between a modern leopard and a lion, being most likely about the size of a jaguar. ''Dinofelis'' has relatively short forearms in relation to the neofelids extant today. The hindlimb is more gracile.
''Dinofelis'' is known as a "false saber-tooth" cat because, instead of true saber-teeth, it had what appears to be a cross between long, flat saber-teeth and the cone-shaped teeth of the modern-day felines. The canines of ''Dinofelis'' are flattened and only moderately long compared to the true sabertooths. The upper canines are relatively longer than the extant snow leopard though. While the lower canines are robust, the cheek teeth are not nearly as robust as the lion and other neofelids. ^[1]
Specimens formerly attributed to ''Felis cristata'' and the genus ''Therailurus'' have been placed in ''Dinofelis''.
''Dinofelis'' fossils and bones have been found in South Africa along with those of the baboons that it possibly killed. Bones from several specimens of ''Dinofelis'' and baboons were found in a natural trap. ''Dinofelis'' may have entered the trap to feed or may have simply wandered into the trap.

Contents

Species

References

Species

★ ''Dinofelis abeli'' - Abel's Dinofelis (China)

★ ''Dinofelis barlowi'' - African Dinofelis (Africa)

★ ''Dinofelis diastemata'' - European Dinofelis (Europe)

★ ''Dinofelis paleoonca'' - American Dinofelis (North America)

★ ''Dinofelis piveteaui'' - Piveteau Dinofelis (South Africa)

★ ''Dinofelis therailurus'' - Asian Dinofelis (Asia)

References

1. The Big Cats and their fossil relatives, , Alan, Turner, Columbia University Press, 1997,