Barbourofelis (Barbourofelis fricki)

Order: Carnivora

Family: Nimravidae

The "paleofelid" Barbourofelis fricki was a large lion-sized predator that lived around 6 million years ago during the Upper Miocene of North America. The name Barbourofelis is derived from the paleontologist E.H. Barbour, who along with G.H. Cook first discovered fossil remains in the Miocene deposits of Texas. Barbourofelis fricki and other related species are often thought of as being saber-toothed cats but in reality were not felines at all. Instead, they were a close relative of true cats belonging to a now-extinct family known as the "nimravids."

The family Nimravidae is believed to have branched away from the ancestors of true cats during the Eocene around 55 million years ago and to have evolved similarly and yet separately from other saber-toothed predators. In life, Barbourofelis-related species would have been superficially similar to true cats in appearance, possessing many of the same features, such as retractable claws and the infamous "dirk-toothed" fangs. Skeletal remains indicate that they would have been very muscular with a muscle mass somewhat intermediate between a bear and that of a large cat. Proportional studies of skeletal remains indicate that Barbourofelis probably wasn't chasing down prey over long distances but rather may have had an ambush approach to hunting. Barbourofelis species would have used their large powerful forelimbs to grapple with prey into a position suitable for their fangs.

Barbourofelis's fangs were among the most extremely developed of all the saber-toothed carnivores. Whether roaring, snarling, or just yawning, the gaping mouth of the Barbourofelis species would have made for an awsome spectacle. Apart from being used as hunting weapons to bring down and dispatch prey, their extended fangs may have been important for display during encounters with members of the same species to establish dominance or for mating. During its day, Barbourofelis most certainly reigned at the top of the food chain. Ironically it is their characteristics that allowed them to be so successful that ultimately may have contributed to their decline. Species with highly specialized adaptations, such as exaggerated canines, are more prone to extinction than their more generalized relatives. Other members of the genus Barbourofelis from Miocene North America include Barbourofelis morrisi and Barbourofelis lovei from Florida.