Plesictis fossil map
Where fossils of Plesictis 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 | 33.9–16.9 million years ago (Rupelian to Burdigalian) |
| Periods | Paleogene, Neogene |
| Family | Mustelidae |
| Named by | Pomel 1846 |
| Fossil records | 16 occurrences at 6 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | Germany, Georgia, Switzerland, France, Belgium |
| Rock formations | txn:41086, Boom |
About Plesictis
Plesictis is an extinct prehistoric genus of mustelid (originally described as a procyonid) endemic to Europe during the Oligocene and Miocene 33.9—20.0 Ma existing for approximately 13.9 million years.
Plesictis was a 75 centimetres (2.46 ft) long animal, resembling a weasel with large eyes, or possibly a cacomistle. Its large eyes and very long tail suggest that it may have been nocturnal and arboreal. Judging from its teeth, it was an omnivore.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Plesictis (revision 1258221381), 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: Q2177148.
