Ectopocynus fossil map
Where fossils of Ectopocynus 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 | 31.8–16.3 million years ago (Rupelian to Burdigalian) |
| Periods | Paleogene, Neogene |
| Family | Canidae |
| Named by | Wang 1994 |
| Fossil records | 12 occurrences at 4 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | United States |
| Rock formations | Runningwater, Gering, Brule |
About Ectopocynus
Ectopocynus ("strange dog") is an extinct genus of bone crushing canid which inhabited North America from the Oligocene to the Early Miocene. It lived from 33.3 to 16.0 Ma and existed for approximately 17.3 million years.
Remains of Ectopocynus are limited to mandibles and teeth only. These reveal that the animal had simple, robust, and blunt yet massive premolars and reduced or lost cusps on the lower molars. In this respect, Ectopocynus had many of the characteristics of Enhydrocyon. This dentition suggests this animal was a hypercarnivore or mesocarnivore.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Ectopocynus (revision 1145569912), 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: Q3718788.
