In a groundbreaking find, scientists in Egypt’s Fayum Depression have uncovered the nearly complete skull of Bastetodon syrtos, a leopard-sized apex predator that roamed 30 million years ago. This discovery sheds new light on prehistoric ecosystems during a critical climate shift from warm to cool, challenging previous ideas about ancient African predators.
Bastetodon syrtos belonged to the extinct hyaenodont group—carnivorous mammals that ruled Africa before the rise of today’s cats, dogs, and hyenas. With its powerful jaws and sharp teeth, this ferocious hunter likely preyed on early hippos, elephants, hyraxes, and primates, dominating a lush Fayum forest that is now a desert.
Lead palaeontologist Shorouq Al-Ashqar described the discovery as a dream come true. “Just as we were about to wrap up, a team member spotted large teeth sticking out of the ground. That excited shout led to the discovery of an ancient apex predator,” Al-Ashqar shared.
The skull’s structure indicates a strong bite force, suggesting Bastetodon played a vital role in shaping the prehistoric food chain. The findings, published in the Journal of Vertebrate Palaeontology, offer a fresh perspective on how these ancient predators adapted before succumbing to climate change and extinction.
This rare glimpse into the past offers new insights into the evolution of Africa’s ancient ecosystems and how climate change has shaped life on Earth.
