In ancient Egypt, scientists have unearthed the remarkably intact skull of a newly identified apex predator known as Bastetodon. This creature, resembling a mix of a dog and a cat with immense jaw strength, once roamed the lush forests around 30 million years ago, reaching the size of a leopard or hyena.
Lead author Shorouq Al-Ashqar, a palaeontologist from Mansoura University and the American University in Cairo, described the Bastetodon as the ruler of the ancient forests. The discovery, detailed in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, was made during an expedition to the Fayum Depression in Egypt’s western deserts in 2020.
The skull was found by team member Belal Salem, now with Ohio University, who spotted teeth protruding from the ground. Al-Ashqar was amazed by the almost perfectly preserved skull, likening its condition to having just died. Analysis revealed that the Bastetodon belonged to an extinct group of mammals called hyaenodonta, predating modern carnivores like cats and dogs.
Named after the Egyptian goddess Bastet, symbolizing protection and good health, the Bastetodon’s diet likely included primates, early hippos, and elephants. Despite weighing around 27 kilograms, its sharp teeth and powerful jaws enabled it to take down large prey with ease. The Bastetodon had no natural predators due to its formidable strength.
The extinction of hyaenodonta remains a topic of debate, with theories ranging from changing climates to competition with modern carnivores. Studying fossils like the Bastetodon in regions such as Fayum provides valuable insights into how prehistoric animals adapted to environmental shifts, offering lessons for understanding current and future ecosystems.
