Mammal
Amphicyon ingens
Amphicyon ingensAlso known as Bear-Dog, Giant Bear-Dog
Amphicyon ingens was a massive apex predator of the North American Miocene, combining the robust physique and plantigrade limbs of a bear with the skull and predatory dentition of a large canid. Equipped with powerful crushing jaws, it tackled megafaunal herbivores and cracked open thick bones to consume marrow. Fossil evidence suggests it stalked open woodlands and savannas, relying on raw strength and burst acceleration rather than prolonged pursuit to subdue prey.
Apex PredatorCarnivore
—observations
—countries
—peak records
ExtinctConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXExtinctRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyMerychippus, Aepycamelus, Teleoceras
ThreatsClimatic cooling, floral turnover, faunal competition
HabitatsOpen woodlands, savannas, grasslands
Life span15–25 years
Classification
- FamilyAmphicyonidae
- SpeciesAmphicyon ingens
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Extinct prehistoric mammal known only from the fossil record.
Responsible observation
- Fossil Viewing: Examine mounted skeletal casts in natural history museums to appreciate its massive bone structure.
- Identification: Note the bear-like feet paired with an elongated, heavily constructed wolf-like skull.
Competitor Jonathan Chen / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Competitor Jonathan Chen / CC BY 4.0 · cc-by
Prey R. Bruce Horsfall / Public domain · cc0
Image unavailablePrey 
Close Relative Jonathan Chen / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
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