In size they were between a modern leopard and a lion, with most about the size of a jaguar (70 cm tall and up to 120 kg), they were medium-sized but powerful cats with a pair of prominent saber teeth. The front limbs were particularly robust compared to modern cats (even the jaguar lacks the robust build displayed in Dinofelis).
Two specimens were examined by Serge Legendre and Claudia Roth for body mass. The first specimen was estimated to weigh 31.4 kg (69 lb), the second 87.8 kg (190 lb). The lower canines are robust, the cheek teeth are not nearly as robust as those of the lion and other modern big cats.
The stout body of Dinofelis may indicate a preference for dense or mixed habitats, although, like the modern jaguar, it may have ranged from forest to open country, including wetlands. Based on Dinofelis likely preference of forest habitats, ethologist William Allen et al. believes it possessed a spotted or striped coat. It is thought that the gradual disappearance of its forest environment may have contributed to Dinofelis extinction at the start of the ice age.
Diet[]
Dinofelis hunted animals including mammoth calves, young and old mastodons, hominids like Homo habilis and other animals. However, examination of carbon isotope ratios in specimens from Swartkrans indicates that they probably did not hunt hominids, instead preferring grazing animals as their main prey. The main predators of hominids in the environment at that time were most likely leopards and fellow machairodont Megantereon, whose carbon isotope ratios showed more indication of preying on hominids.Dinofelis fossils and bones have been found in South Africa near those of the baboons that it possibly had killed. Bones from several specimens of Dinofelis and baboons were found in a natural trap, where Dinofelis may have been lured to feed on trapped prey. Several sites from South Africa seem to show Dinofelis may have hunted and killed Australopithecus africanus, since the finds mingle fossilized remains of Dinofelis, hominids, and other large contemporary animals. In South Africa, Dinofelis remains have been found near Paranthropus fossil skulls, a few with precisely spaced canine holes in their crania, so it is possible Dinofelis preyed on robust hominids as well. This may been rare, however, as carbon isotope ratios contradict this.
Species[]
Dinofelis aronoki: It lived in Villafranchian and Biharian stage in Kenya and Ethiopia. Recently split from D. barlowi.
Dinofelis barlowi: It lived from the late Miocene to the early Pleistocene. Geographically, it could be found in Europe, North America, but mainly in Africa. It was 70 cm high and 1 m long, probably the smallest species of Dinofelis.
Dinofelis cristata: It was found in China. (Includes D. abeli.)
Dinofelis darti: It lived in South Africa during the Villafranchian stage.
Dinofelis diastemata: Europe
Dinofelis paleoonca: North America
Dinofelis petteri: East Africa
Dinofelis piveteaui: South Africa
Dinofelis sp. "Langebaanweg"
Dinofelis Barlowi
Dinofelis sp. "Lothagam"
More Facts[]
Dinofelis was a creature similar to the jaguar of South America, and between a lion and a leopard in size. Its distinguishing feature, other than its huge fangs, was its powerful front legs, presumably used to pin down its prey ripping into it.
It is also known as a “false sabre-tooth” compared to other kinds of sabre-toothed creatures, because its teeth were not as knife-like, and were more like those of modern-day cats.
One of the most exciting discoveries was the 1947 to 1948 excavation at Bolt’s Farm of three, well preserved skeletons – a male, a female and a youngster, together with the remains of baboons. It was thought the baboons fell into a pit, followed by the feline family.
Dinofelis remains have also frequently been found in caves, together with the bones of their animal prey, giving rise to the idea that they may have been cave dwellers.
Palaeontologists believe that, due to its heavy build, the Dinofelis was not a fast animal. It would therefore have relied on its excellent night vision and stealth to stalk and ambush its prey, hauling it back to its lair.
This prehistoric carnivore has also been discovered in Asia, Europe and North America and lived between 5-million and 1.4-million years ago.
Because there are no remains of skin or soft tissue, no-one knows for sure what Dinofelis’ coat looked like, which is why you see different artists’ impressions. In Africa, Dinofelis is often portrayed as having spots, like a leopard or cheetah.
In The Media[]
Dinofelis appears in the 4th episode of Walking with Beasts (Next of Kin) as a Predator of Australopithecus.
