Pantolambda

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Pantolambda
Fossil range: Paleocene

Conservation status
Extinct (fossil)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Pantodonta
Family: Pantolambdidae
Genus: Pantolambda
Cope, 1882
Species
  • P. bathmodon (type)
  • P. cavirictum
  • P. intermedium

Pantolambda is an extinct genus of the Paleocene of pantodont mammal. Pantolambda is classified in the order Pantodonta. Pantolambda lived during the Middle Paleocene. Although it resembled a cat in its overall appearance, the creature ate plants and had hoof-like clawed feet. There were five toes on each foot. Pantolambda's teeth had a selenodont structure. This means that the enamel ridges had crescent-shaped cusps. Pantolambda was about the size of a sheep.

American pantodonts, such as Pantolambda were considerably heavier and definitely not tree dwellers. Fossils of the species of this genus have been found in these locations:

Pantolambda bathmodon San Juan Basin, San Juan County, New Mexico San Juan County, Sandoval County, New Mexico

Pantolambda cavirictum San Juan Basin, San Juan County, New Mexico Fort Union Formation, Fremont County, Wyoming

Pantolambda intermedium Gidley Quarry, Montana

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