Otarocyon fossil map
Where fossils of Otarocyon 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 | 37–18.5 million years ago (Priabonian to Burdigalian) |
| Periods | Paleogene, Neogene |
| Family | Canidae |
| Named by | Wang et al. 1999 |
| Fossil records | 20 occurrences at 7 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | United States |
| Rock formations | txn:41189, Sharps, Toston, Brule, Gering, Chadron |
About Otarocyon
Otarocyon ("large eared dog") is an extinct genus of the Borophaginae subfamily of canids native to North America. It lived during the Oligocene epoch, about 33.3—20.6 Ma (million years ago). Fossils have been found only in Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota.
Otarocyon was a small borophagine characterized by a short, broad skull, a specialized middle ear, simple, tall premolar teeth, and molars that are incipiently adapted to a hypocarnivorous diet. Despite its Oligocene age, the skull of Otarocyon shows several striking similarities to the living fennec fox, particularly in the structure of its middle ear. The similarities are probably convergent, but they suggest that Otarocyon may have been similar in its appearance and habits.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Otarocyon (revision 1312060039), 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: Q583006.
