Tricodon

Tricodon is an extinct genus of mammal that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. Fossils of Tricodon have been found in North America. The name Tricodon means "three teeth," referring to the three cusps on its molar teeth, a characteristic feature of the genus.

Tricodon was a small, shrew-like mammal, likely weighing less than a kilogram. Its exact lifestyle is not fully understood, but it is generally believed to have been a nocturnal, insectivorous or possibly omnivorous creature. Its teeth suggest a diet that included insects, worms, and possibly small invertebrates.

The discovery of Tricodon fossils provides valuable insight into the diversity of mammalian life that existed alongside dinosaurs. It is classified within the order Multituberculata, an extinct group of mammals known for their specialized rodent-like incisors and complex molar teeth. Multituberculates were a highly successful and diverse group that survived for over 100 million years, from the Jurassic to the end of the Cretaceous. Tricodon represents one of the later-evolving members of this ancient mammalian lineage. The fossil record of Tricodon, though limited, contributes to our understanding of early mammalian evolution and the ecological landscape of the Cretaceous.