The creodont genus Hyaenodonwas long-lasting,
widespreadand varied. Some species were as small as stoats,
others as big as lions - however, they were not closely
related to stoats or lions, since these hunters belong to the
more modern Carnivoragroup. The Hyaenodongenus
originated in the Late Eocene Epoch, probably in Asia or
Europe. Some members spread to North America and
possibly Africa, and one Asian kind survived into the
Pliocene Epoch, some five million years ago - then the
whole creodont group went extinct. See the next page for a
comparison with the jaws and teeth of a 'true' hyaena.