Module 7

Question 1

What is the scientific name for the earliest known true cat?

Answer 1

Proailurus lemanensis

Proailurus, also known as “Leman’s Dawn Cat”, is widely regarded as a common ancestor of all modern felines, which lived 30mya

Question 2

What anatomical feature is characteristic of both caniform and feliform carnivores?

Answer 2

Carnassial pair (4th upper premolar and 1st lower molar)

Question 3

Which extinct genus of carnivorous ‘hoofed’ animals had powerful jaws and crushing teeth?

Answer 3

Andrewsarchus

Question 4

What was the estimated maximum speed of a cheetah?

Answer 4

113 km/h (70 mph)

Question 5

Which extinct marsupial resembled a saber-toothed cat?

Answer 5

Thylacosmilus

Question 6

What was the largest hyena species to have ever lived?

Answer 6

Pachycrocuta brevirostris

Question 7

Which prehistoric carnivore had features of both cats and dogs?

Answer 7

Tapocyon

Question 8

What is the common name for Bassariscus astutus?

Answer 8

Ring-tailed cat

Question 9

Which extinct canid was the largest in the world, comparable to a large bear?

Answer 9

Epicyon haydeni

Question 10

What adaptation allows some hyenas to consume bones?

Answer 10

Osteophagy (bone-eating ability)

Question 11

Which extinct bear species was the most common in early North America?

Answer 11

Short-faced bear (Arctodus simus)

Question 12

Which felid from the Pliocene is believed to have hunted early hominids?

Answer 12

Dinofelis

Question 13

Which prehistoric animal is considered the ancestor of modern bears?

Answer 13

Ursavus

Question 14

What extinct species of large predatory mammal lived during the Eocene and had traits similar to both dogs and bears?

Answer 14

Amphicyon (bear dogs)

Question 15

Which South American carnivore is known for its long legs and fox-like appearance?

Answer 15

Maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus)