Leptictidium

Leptictidium (meaning delicate weasel) was a genus of small prehistoric eutherian from Eocene period. this extinct species of mammal lived alongside the dinosaurs, but died out when the tropical forests opened up.

Leptictidium Temporal range: Cretaceous to Eocene period
Leptictidium auderiense
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Subclass:	Theria
Order:	Leptictida
Family:	Pseudorhyncocyonidae
Genus:	Leptictidium
Species
Leptictidium auderiense Leptictidium nasutum Leptictidium tobieni Leptictidium sigei Leptictidium ginsburgi Leptictidium aff. sigei

Leptictidium had long hind legs, and probably used only those two legs when moving fast. Whether it hopped on two legs or ran bipedally is still a matter of debate. It had a long, bare tail which acted as a counterbalance, and a long, mobile snout to help it find its prey.

The leptictids were found right across Eurasia. Leptictidium itself was a specialised hopper with the best preserved specimens found in the Messel shales of Germany.