Hesperocyon fossil map
Where fossils of Hesperocyon have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 30 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 30 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 | 45.9–18.5 million years ago (Lutetian to Burdigalian) |
| Periods | Paleogene, Neogene |
| Family | Canidae |
| Named by | Scott 1890 |
| Fossil records | 344 occurrences at 39 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | United States, Canada |
| Rock formations | Brule, txn:41189, Chadron, White River, Renova, Cypress Hills |
About Hesperocyon
Hesperocyon is an extinct genus of early canids (mammals in the dog family) from the Middle Eocene to Early Oligocene of North America, from southern Canada to Colorado. Hesperocyon is the oldest canid in the fossil record, first appearing during the Duchesnean age (Middle Eocene, about 41 Ma) (AEO). It was one of the most common carnivorans of the White River fauna and survived up until the Whitneyan age (Early Oligocene, about 31.0 Ma). Hesperocyon is a probable ancestor to all later canids, and only Prohesperocyon has a more basal (earlier-branching) position on the canid family tree. Hesperocyon is the namesake of the extinct subfamily Hesperocyoninae, the first major radiation of canids.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Hesperocyon (revision 1381234817), 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: Q1947861.
