Fossil Find Is First Evidence Of Arctic Hyenas

Chasmaporthetes, sometimes called the “running hyena,” has been found all over the world, but never before in the Arctic.

Dead Things iconDead Things
By Gemma Tarlach
Jun 18, 2019 11:00 AMFeb 22, 2020 1:07 AM
Chasmaporthetes Arctic hyena - Julius T. Csotonyi
An artist’s rendering of ancient Arctic hyenas belonging to the genus Chasmaporthetes, now known to have roamed Canada’s Yukon Territory. (Credit: Julius T. Csotonyi)

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You might associate hyenas with Africa’s sprawling savannas, but the animals were once right at home above the Arctic Circle.

Modern hyenas generally stick to Africa. (A decreasing number of one species, the striped hyena, can be found on the edges of southwestern Asia.) However, back in the day, various now-extinct species roamed much of the world. For example, fossils from the ancient hyena genus Chasmaporthetes have been found from Morocco to Mongolia to Mexico.

The Hyena That Ran With It

Chasmaporthetes, sometimes called the “running hyena,” lacked the hunched posture of modern hyenas. It more likely resembled a small, lean wolf. The animal would have been efficient at chasing game, though its bone-crushing jaws also would have come in handy for munching and crunching carrion.

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