More than 15 million years ago, the borhyaena was near the top of the food chain in what is now South America. This wolf-like beast crushed and strangled prey with powerful jaws and slashed at enemies with sharp, curved claws. The borhyaena couldn't run fast, so it surprised victims in vicious sneak attacks.
Nailed: This animal had long, curving claws. The Borhyaena could slash deep into prey and come out with a healthy chunk of its victim's flesh.
Jawbreaker: Large muscles powered the borhyaena's jaw and gave the beast a devastating bite. This creature could kill some prey with one swift chomp, and keep a crushing hold on the victim's neck.
Not Too Swift[]
The borhyaena's long, sharp canine teeth made deep cuts in prey.
Killing victims wasn't much of a problem for the borhyaena, but catching them was probably a challenge. The creature's legs were too short for running fast, but they were perfect for pouncing. The borhyaena probably hunted most successfully when it hid its short body in tall grasses and ambushed unsuspecting prey.
Toothy: The borhyaena had the mouth of a real meat-eater. Long canines and crushing molars filled its jaws, and grew continuously through the animal's life. New teeth grew in when old ones wore down or fell out.
Invaders from the North: Millions of years ago, South America was isolated from other land masses. When the seas fell and connected the continent with North America, more predators traveled south and drove the borhyaena to extinction.
Dead is Good[]
- Borhyaenas ate whatever animals they could find, even those that were already dead. The stink of carrion (dead creatures) would attract several of the scavengers that were hungry and looking for an easy meal.
- Two borhyaneas feeding on the same carcass would go after the meatiest portions, and battle in a "tug-o-war" over the best bits of flesh. The competitors would growl fiercely until one pulled the scrap away and ran off to eat in peace.
Trading Card[]
Trivia[]
- The borhyaena is featured in Timeline Tracker on Monster Mania 24.
- The subheading "Jawbreaker" is a reference to the candy of the same name.