Viverroides

Viverroides is an extinct genus of machairodontine saber-toothed cat that lived in North America during the Pliocene epoch. It is known from fossils found in the Hagerman Fossil Beds in Idaho, dating back approximately 3.7 to 3.9 million years ago. Viverroides is characterized by its relatively small size compared to other saber-toothed cats, its long legs, and its distinct saber-like canine teeth. The genus name, Viverroides, was given by the paleontologist James H. Hutchison in 1966.

The most notable feature of Viverroides is its elongated, flattened upper canine teeth, which are a hallmark of the saber-toothed cat lineage. These teeth were likely used for precise killing bites, often targeting the soft throat or belly of prey. Analysis of its skeletal remains suggests that Viverroides was adapted for agility and speed, possibly hunting smaller to medium-sized mammals such as horses, camels, and antelopes. Its habitat during the Pliocene was likely grassland or open woodland environments.

Viverroides is considered an early member of the Machairodontinae subfamily, which also includes more famous genera like Smilodon. Its discovery provides important insights into the early evolution and diversification of saber-toothed cats in North America before the appearance of later, larger forms. The Hagerman Fossil Beds site is a rich source of Pliocene fauna, and the presence of Viverroides adds to our understanding of this ancient ecosystem.