Hapalorestes fossil map
Where fossils of Hapalorestes have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 45 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 45 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 | 51.1–45.9 million years ago (Ypresian to Lutetian) |
| Periods | Paleogene |
| Family | Hapalodectidae |
| Named by | Gunnell and Gingerich 1996 |
| Fossil records | 2 occurrences at 1 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | United States |
| Rock formations | Aycross |
About Hapalorestes
Hapalorestes is a genus of hapalodectid that lived during the early to middle Eocene. An average living individual's weight is estimated at 1 to 8 kilograms.
A characteristic trait of Hapalorestes is that the lower third molar is the longest in the row. There are broad, deep ‘embrasure pits’ present on the palate which would receive the crowns of the lower teeth when the jaws were closed. Similar pits are seen on the palates of Stem-whales, which has led some to believe they may share a close relation to modern whales.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Hapalorestes (revision 1224325383), 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: Q5813782.
