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Dinofelis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Felidae Subfamily: Machairodontinae Tribe: Metailurini Genus: Dinofelis
Species
Dinofelis abeli Dinofelis barlowi Dinofelis diastemata Dinofelis paleoonca Dinofelis piveteaui Dinofelis therailurus

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.

Specimens formerly attributed to the genus Therailurus and Felis cristata 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.

Species of Dinofelis:

• Dinofelis abeli (China)
• Dinofelis barlowi (Africa)
• Dinofelis diastemata (Europe)
• Dinofelis paleoonca (North America)
• Dinofelis piveteaui (South Africa)
• Dinofelis therailurus (Asia)

Wikispecies has information related to:

Dinofelis

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