Imagine a giant wolf-like creature more than six feet tall running across the plains of what is now central Asia. Andrewsarchus was the largest meat-eating mammal to ever live on land. It thrived in the period after the dinosaurs had become extinct but didn't make it to modern times. This creature is named for the explorer Roy Chapman Andrews, who was the inspiration for the movie character Indiana Jones.
Big Boy: Andrewsarchus was a monster. The creature stood more than 6 feet high at the shoulder and sported a skull that measured 3.5 feet long.
Dead or Alive: This beast had specialized teeth made for slicing and crunching, but it may not have been a great hunter. Scientists believe that Andrewsarchus probably ate wounded creatures that couldn't flee and even dead animals.
Cousin to a Whale?[]
Andrewsarchus probably hunted prey aggressively but may have preferred to feast on animals already hurt or dying.
Andrewsarchus was an ancestor of the modern wolf and maybe even the hyena. But its strangest relative was a whale. An ancient whale called pakicetus had four long limbs, a finless tail and specialized teeth that matched those in Andrewsarchus' jaws almost exactly. This whale undoubtedly spent at least some of its time walking on land, and scientists believe that Andrewsarchus and pakicetus evolved from the same land-dwelling ancestor.
Mr. Nosy: Andrewsarchus' big head probably ended in a big nose. A creature that feeds on dead or dying animals usually has a great sense of smell so it can locate an easy meal.
Mixed Bag: Based on other creatures that were similar to Andrewsarchus, many believe that this beast's body looked and moved like that of a modern wolf. Some even think it may have had hoofs rather than clawed feet.
Timeline[]
Andrewsarchus lived from 60-32 million years ago, during the Tertiary Period.
Trading Card[]
Trivia[]
- The andrewsarchus is featured on several Monster Mania cards:
- It is first featured in Do You Know Your Namesakes? on Monster Mania 15.
- It is then featured in Know Your Noses on Monster Mania 16.