Merycoidodon fossil map
Where fossils of Merycoidodon 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 | 41.03–18.5 million years ago (Bartonian to Burdigalian) |
| Periods | Paleogene, Neogene |
| Family | Merycoidodontidae |
| Named by | Leidy 1848 |
| Fossil records | 370 occurrences at 35 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | United States, Canada, Mexico |
| Rock formations | Brule, txn:42488, Chadron, White River, Renova, Capote Mountain Tuff |
About Merycoidodon
Merycoidodon ("ruminating teeth") is an extinct genus of herbivorous artiodactyl of the family Merycoidodontidae, more popularly known by the name Oreodon ("hillock teeth"). It was endemic to North America during the Middle Eocene to Middle Miocene (46—16 mya) existing for approximately 30 million years.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Merycoidodon (revision 1352952956), 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: Q368343.
