TLDR: Epicyon, an ancient giant canid, dominated North America with a powerful bite and pack behavior, likely extinct due to climate changes. #PrehistoricCanids #Epicyon
This article is a summary of a You Tube video “The Largest ‘Dog’ To Ever Walk The Earth” by ExtinctZoo
Key Takeaways:
- Big Cats and Canids: Big cats are dominant apex predators globally, while canids, though widespread, tend to be smaller.
- Giant Canids: Ancient “big dogs” like the Epicyon were once apex predators comparable in size to big cats.
- Epicyon Description: The Epicyon, meaning “more than a dog,” was the largest canid, with some species weighing over 370 lbs.
- Physical Features: The Epicyon had a robust build, with a powerful bite force surpassing 16,000 Newtons, comparable to large American alligators.
- Social Behavior: There is evidence suggesting the Epicyon may have been a social creature engaging in pack hunting.
- Diet and Hunting: Its diet likely included large herbivores, and its strong bite allowed it to crush bones, accessing nutritious marrow.
- Habitat and Range: The Epicyon inhabited diverse environments across North America, adapting to various climates over millions of years.
- Extinction Factors: Climate change, rather than competition from arriving big cats, is thought to have led to the Epicyon’s extinction.
- Predatory Environment: The Epicyon coexisted with numerous other carnivores, indicating a complex ecosystem.
- Legacy and Research Interest: Despite its extinction, the Epicyon remains a subject of interest for its unique adaptations and ecological role.
