Potamotherium

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Potamotherium
Fossil range: Early Miocene
Conservation status
Extinct (fossil)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Oligobunidae
Genus: Potamotherium

Potamotherium ('water beast') is an extinct genus of mammal related to the mustelids.

Related to modern otters, Potamotherium was a 1,50 m (5 ft) long creature with an elongated, slender body and webbed feet. It was probably a good swimmer. Potamotherium had a poor sense of smell, but made up for this with good vision and hearing.