@15 MYA - @ 8 MYA

SPECIES:
Metailurus major

None currently listed

Metailurus is a cat closely related to Dinofelis. Large amounts of specimens have been found, and the original species definition was based on a sample from China. Others have been found in Europe, all with about the same dates.

Metailurus, like Dinofelis, had canines between those of modern cats and Saber-tooth cats. Metailurus' upper canines were slightly longer that those of Dinofelis, but still not as long as a true saber-tooth. Metailurus was also like Dinofelis in it's stocky build. Both cats had forelimbs more heavily built that the hind limbs. Metailurus was slightly smaller that Dinofelis; it was more the size of a leopard whereas Dinofelis was between the sizes of a leopard and a lion.

Based on it's build, Metailurus probably hunted in forested areas much like Dinofelis. Because of it's slightly smaller size Metailurus may have spent more time in tress like a leopard, where Dinofelis may have spent more time on the ground. Coloring may have been a spotted or striped coat like a tiger or jaguar. Those that lived in Eurasia may have been mountain dwellers, and may therefore had a coat more like a lynx or bobcat.

Sources: The Big Cats and Their Fossil Relatives. Alan Turner. Columbia University Press, New York. 1997