Syrtosmilus
Name:
Syrtosmilus
(Syrt knife).
Phonetic: Sir-to-smy-lus.
Named By: Ginsburg - 1978.
Classification: Chordata, Mammalia, Carnivora,
Feliformia, Barbourofelidae.
Species: S. syrtensis (type).
Diet: Carnivore.
Size: Unavailable.
Known locations: Libya, Gebel Zelten.
Time period: Early Miocene.
Fossil representation: Single specimen of partial
remains.
Not a very well-known barbourofelid, Syrtosmilus lived in North Africa during the early Miocene. As with its relatives, Syrtosmilus was probably an ambush hunter that darted out from the cover of vegetation to hit prey animals before they even knew that Syrtosmilus was there. The species name of S. syrtensis means ‘from Syrt’.
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