Kopidodon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Kopidodon macrognathus
|
||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
| Kopidodon macrognathus Wittich, 1898 |
Kopidodon is a genus of extinct squirrel-like mammals belonging to the order Cimolesta. Kopidodon was one of the largest tree-dwelling mammals known: growing 115 centimeters long (most of that length is tail). This mammal sported fearsome canine teeth, probably for defense. However its molars were designed for chewing plants, not flesh. Its legs and claws allowed Kopidodon to scramble through the trees with the greatest of ease, much like modern-day squirrels. Its fossils were found in the Messel pit, preserving even its fur. We know that like a giant squirrel, Kopidodon had a thick bushy tail for balance.
 |
This prehistoric mammal-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
