Palaeoryctes (Greek: "old" (palaeos), "digger" (oryctes)[1]) is an extinct genus of mammal from Middle to Late Palaeocene of North America.
Palaeoryctes Temporal range:
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | †Palaeoryctida |
Family: | †Palaeoryctidae |
Genus: | †Palaeoryctes |
Palaeoryctes resembled a modern shrew, being slender and sharp-nosed, with typical insectivore teeth. It was around 12.5 centimetres (4.9 in) long, and weighed around 20 to 60 grams (0.71 to 2.12 oz). The molars of Palaeoryctes had little function other than piercing.[2]