bradyodonts

Bradyodonts are a group of extinct mammals that lived during the Paleogene period, approximately 66 to 23 million years ago. They are characterized by their slow-growing teeth, which are the source of their name, derived from the Greek words "bradys" meaning slow, and "odontos" meaning tooth. This trait is thought to have evolved as an adaptation to a diet of tough, fibrous plants, which required a longer time for the teeth to wear down and be replaced.

Bradyodonts are known from fossils found in North America, Europe, and Asia. They are typically small to medium-sized mammals, with body sizes ranging from a few kilograms to around 50 kilograms. They had a diverse range of body types, including those with a more rodent-like appearance, as well as more horse-like forms.

The most well-known bradyodonts are the hyracodonts, which are often referred to as "hyraxes" due to their similar appearance. However, hyracodonts are not closely related to modern hyraxes, but rather to elephants and manatees. Other notable bradyodonts include the dinocerata, which had a distinctive horn on their snout, and the entelodonts, which had a more dog-like appearance.

Bradyodonts are an important group of mammals for understanding the evolution of the order Artiodactyla, which includes modern mammals such as pigs, hippos, and even-toed ungulates. They provide insights into the early diversification of this group and the adaptations that allowed them to thrive in a variety of environments. Despite their diversity and abundance during the Paleogene, bradyodonts went extinct at the end of the period, likely due to a combination of factors including climate change and competition from other mammals.