Barbourofelis fossil map
Where fossils of Barbourofelis have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 15 million years ago and on today’s map.
Dots are fossil collections recorded in the Paleobiology Database. The “then” view moves today’s fossil sites back to their positions 15 million years ago (the time slice nearest the median age of the fossils) using the Merdith et al. (2021) plate model; positions are approximate. Open on the timeline map →
| Group | Early mammals |
|---|---|
| Lived | 12.5–4.7 million years ago (Serravallian to Zanclean) |
| Periods | Neogene |
| Family | Nimravidae |
| Named by | Schultz et al. 1970 |
| Fossil records | 44 occurrences at 15 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | United States |
| Rock formations | Ash Hollow, txn:41036, Dove Spring, Ogallala, Alachua, Esmeralda |
About Barbourofelis
Barbourofelis is an extinct genus of large feliform, from the subfamily Barbourofelinae, which is part of the family of false-sabertooth cats known as Nimravidae. Barbourofelis, along with Albanosmilus, were the last known nimravids. Barbourofelis lived in North America and Eurasia during the Miocene epoch from 12 to 7 Ma.
Five species are currently recognized within the genus: B. fricki, B. loveorum, B. morrisi, B. oregonensis, and B. piveteaui. B. morrisi likely evolved from Albanosmilus migrating into North America. With B. piveteaui evolving from reverse migration from North America into Eurasia. B. loveorum possibly evolved from B. morrisi, and may have evolved into B. fricki.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Barbourofelis (revision 1369793695), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; introduction excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Ages, family, authority and fossil records: Paleobiology Database, accessed 23 October 2026. Ages are those of the rock layers the fossils were found in. Wikidata: Q133084.
