Hyena and relatives

[epaiva]

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

Pachycrocuta brevirostris: Skeleton and reconstructed life appearance of the giant hyena
Originally described from a skull found in Seinzelles, France, this hyaenid is known from fragmentary remains from several European sites, but the best sample by far actually comes from the middle Pleistocene site of Zhoukoudian, China. The Chinese sample shows that the body proportions of Pachycrocuta especially resembled those of the spotted hyena among modern members of the family, but the extinct species was even more robust. Otherwise, Pachycrocuta displayed all the traits that characterize modern hyenas: a large head, a long and well muscled neck, forelimbs considerable longer than the hind limbs, and the shortened back. All these features are part of the adaptation for carrying large pieces of carcasses and show that Pachycrocuta was as adept at scavenging as its extant relatives are. Reconstructed shoulder height: 1 m. Reply