Entelodon (meaning "complete teeth", from Ancient Greek ἐντελής entelēs "complete" and ὀδών odōn "tooth", referring to its "complete" eutherian dentition), is an extinct genus of entelodont artiodactyl endemic to Eurasia. Fossils of species are found in Paleogene strata ranging in age from the Houldjinian (37.2-33.9 mya) until the early Oligocene (33.9-28.4 mya).
Taxonomy[]
It is one of four entelodont genera native to Eurasia, the other three being the primitive Eoentelodon of late Eocene China, Proentelodon of middle Eocene Mongolia and the gigantic Paraentelodon of mid-to-late Oligocene Central Asia.
Description[]
Size comparison between E. deguilhemi and a human
Entelodon was a fairly typical Entelodont, with a large, bulky body, slender legs, and a long snout.
Like other entelodonts, Entelodon had complete eutherian dentition (3 incisors, 1 canine, 3 premolars, and 3 molars per quadrant). It had only two toes on each foot, and its legs were built for fast running. Its long, wide head was supported by a robust, short neck, and its cheekbones were greatly enlarged and protruded noticeably from the sides of the head. Though it was more closely related to hippos and whales than pigs, its skull was generally pig-like. It is presumed to have been an omnivore.
Entelodon was around 1.35 m (4.4 ft) tall at the shoulders, with a 65 cm (2 ft 2in) skull.
Distribution[]
Restoration of E. magnus
Life restoration by Charles R. Knight, 1886
Entelodon remains are primarily known from Europe, although one Entelodon specimen was found as far as northern China.
Entelodon magnus populated a broad swath of Europe, with remains found in Spain, Germany, France, Romania, and the Caucasus. Extensive remains of Entelodon deguilhemi were uncovered in Vayres-sur-Essonne, France. The Chinese Entelodon dirus is known from a single tooth discovered in Nei Mongol.
Diet[]
Entelodon was like a moving waste disposal unit, capable of eating anything from rotten fruit, to dead bodies. Its strong jaws could crush bones, but it may have resulted in broken teeth. Its teeth also have wear marks, resulting from eating nuts, and roots. From fossil evidence, this brutal pig was a serious omnivore. Some studies suggest it might've eaten or crunched on anything it could fit into its mouth. Strong muscles made it a fast runner, making it a hunter of small, hoofed animals. Its strong neck muscles could crush even the most durable of bones to a pulp. When food was scarce, they would turn cannibalistic, which was likely one of the reasons species died out.
Social behavior[]
Entelodons were very aggressive towards each other. Males, being solitary, they fought fiercely with other animals and each other over territory, and food. Many fossilized skulls have been found with large and deep grooves, indicating bite marks on the snout, showing that many fights resulted in terrible wounds. In fact, the only threat to an Entelodon was another one. Females were found in small family units, protecting their young from predators and male Entelodons.
Group[]
Entelodon belongs in a group of Artiodactyl (even-toed, hoofed) animals called 'Entelodonts'. The group consists of large, brutish-looking cousins of pigs (though a group of scientists, including Spalding, believe that they're closer to whales and hippos instead). The group filled the niches of hunters and scavengers. Despite their initial success, the whole group became extinct twenty three million years ago due to competition with other predators, such as Amphicyon and the other bear-dogs. The appearance of true pigs and a climate change may have contributed to the Enteldonts' extinction as well.
Appearance in other media[]
Jurassic Park[]
- Entelodon appeared in Jurassic Park Builder.
- Entelodon appears in Jurassic World: The Game as a rare cenozoic creature.
- Entelodon makes an appearance in the 2018 mobile game, Jurassic World: Alive, as a Rare Omnivore, or a Cenozoic Mammal. It can be fused to make the Entelomoth, a hybrid of the Entelodon and the Mammoth.
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