Ptilodontids

Ptilodontids were an extinct family of mammals belonging to the order Multituberculata. These small, rodent-like creatures lived during the Late Cretaceous and Paleogene periods, primarily in North America and Eurasia. Their name, "Ptilodontidae," refers to the distinctive, long, and slender premolars that were characteristic of the group. These teeth were likely used for stripping leaves or gnawing tough plant material. Fossil evidence suggests ptilodontids were diverse, with various species adapting to different ecological niches. Some species may have been arboreal, living in trees, while others were likely terrestrial burrowers. Their diet consisted mainly of plants, seeds, and possibly insects, though their exact feeding habits are inferred from their dentition. Ptilodontids represent a successful lineage within the multituberculates, persisting for millions of years and demonstrating significant evolutionary adaptability before ultimately going extinct. Their extinction is thought to be linked to competition with the diversifying rodents and other placental mammals that rose to prominence after the K-Pg extinction event.