6.6" False Saber-Toothed Cat (Hoplophoneus) Upper Skull - South Dakota

This is very rare find from the White River Formation of South Dakota, an upper skull of the "false saber-tooth cat", Hoplophoneus primaevus. The skull measures 6.6" in length and is accompanied by the adjustable metal display base.

Restoration in total is approximately 25-30% and includes the zygomatic arches on both sides, portions of each frontal bone (primarily across the tops of each eye socket), much of the premaxilla, the right paracondylar process, and the interparietal. The anterior-most teeth (incisors) have all been restored, along with both canines. Small spots of additional gap fill restoration can be found scattered about the skull.

Although resembling big cats,‭ Hoplophoneus and ‬Dinictis (the second primary cat of the White River Formation) are actually of the family Nimravidae,‭ ‬more popularly known as the‭ "false saber-toothed cats‭". ‬Like Smilodon which preceded them, these cats had very enlarged, saber-like canine teeth in their upper jaws. They are thought to have been ambush hunters which may have preyed upon primitive horses like Mesohippus and ruminant-like mammals like oreodonts.