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The family Miacidae is known as the common ancestor between Felines and Canines. They lived 65 million years ago during the Paleocene Epoch. They were the first mammals to have sharp teeth made to tear meat. This family included species like the Tapocyon shown in the picture above.
Miacidae
Aeluroidea
The Aeluroidea and the Arctoidea family evolved from the Miacidae. They lived 55-34 million years ago during the Eocene and Oligocene ages. The Arctoidea would later become animals like canines, weasels, badgers, bears, raccoons and so on. The Aeluroidea evolved to become three groups, Dinictis, Hyaenidae, and Viverrids. Hyaenids are hyenas and Viverrids and civets and mongooses.
Dinictis lived 53 million years ago during the Eocene age. Their legs and tails were longer than their ancestors and their teeth had become more cat-like. They had become better hunters.
Then came Nimravidae and Felidae. Now at 30 million years ago, during the Oligocene age, Nimravidae went extinct leading to no knew family. Nimravidae was the first “saber toothed” cat, now referred to as the false saber-tooth cat. They were the about the size of cougars and had claws that were only partially retractable. Their intelligence was not as high as the Felidae and they weren’t as good as hunting.
Felidae evolved into Proailurus, which evolved into Pseudaelurus. Pseudaelurus lived 23 million years ago during the miocene age.
Pseudaelurus then evolved into four groups. Smilodon was the first, appearing 12 million years ago and thrived for 2 million years. Smilodon is known as the saber-tooth tiger.
Pseudaelurus then evolved into four groups. Smilodon was the first, appearing 12 million years ago and thrived for 2 million years. Smilodon is known as the saber-tooth tiger.
The other three groups were Acinonyx, Panthera, and Felis. These groups all live on today. Acinonyx are cheetahs. They are the fastest land mammals on the Earth. Their claws are not fully retractable like Nimravidae. Panthera are tigers, lions, leopards and so on. Panthera are large cats that roar. Felis are lynxes, cougars, Wild cats and so on. They are typically small cats that can’t roar. Cougars are the largest members of the genus Felis. Domestic cats are also in the genus Felis.
Felidae
Today's Cats
