Didelphodon

Didelphodon is an extinct genus of metatherian mammals that lived in North America during the Late Cretaceous epoch. It is known from fossilized remains, primarily teeth and jaw fragments, which have been found in formations such as the Hell Creek Formation. Didelphodon is estimated to have lived approximately 68 to 66 million years ago, making it a contemporary of dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops.

The name Didelphodon translates to "opossum tooth," reflecting its resemblance to modern opossums, although it was not a direct ancestor of them. Its diet is believed to have included a variety of small animals, possibly including invertebrates, amphibians, and even small reptiles, indicated by its robust jaws and sharp teeth. Its size is estimated to have been comparable to that of a badger or a large house cat.

Didelphodon represents one of the largest known mammals of the Mesozoic Era in North America. Its discovery provides valuable insights into the diversity and ecological roles of mammals during the time of the dinosaurs. Fossil evidence suggests it was a terrestrial animal, likely inhabiting the same environments as the dinosaurs it lived alongside. The extinction of Didelphodon, like many other species, is associated with the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event.