Heptodon

Heptodon is an extinct genus of tapir-type herbivore of the family Helaletidae endemic to North America during the Early Eocene. It lived from 50.3—48.6 mya, existing for approximately 1.7 million years.^[1]

Heptodon Temporal range: 50.3–48.6 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓ Ypresian
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Perissodactyla
Superfamily:	Tapiroidea
Family:	†Helaletidae
Genus:	†Heptodon Cope 1882
Species
†H. calciculus Cope 1880 †H. minimus Qi 1987 †H. niushanensis Chow & Li 1965 †H. posticus Cope 1882

Heptodon was about 1 metre (3.3 ft) in length, and closely resembled modern tapirs. The shape of the skull suggests that it probably lacked the characteristic tapir trunk. Instead it probably had a slightly elongated, fleshy upper lip, like its relative Helaletes.^[2]

See also

• Fossil Butte National Monument