Megalictis fossil map
Where fossils of Megalictis 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 | 23.1–18.5 million years ago (Chattian to Burdigalian) |
| Periods | Paleogene, Neogene |
| Family | Mustelidae |
| Named by | Matthew 1907 |
| Fossil records | 26 occurrences at 9 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | United States |
| Rock formations | Marsland, txn:41086, Rosebud, Delaho, Harrison |
About Megalictis
Megalictis (meaning "great weasel") is an extinct genus of large predatory mustelids that existed in North America during the "cat gap" from the Late Arikareean (Ar4) in the Miocene epoch. It is thought to have resembled a huge, jaguar-sized ferret, weighing up to 60–100 kilograms (130–220 lb).
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Megalictis (revision 1314522881), 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: Q6808432.
