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In this land of giants such as Paraceratherium, a unique group of carnivores stands out. Including
Entelodonts & the rhinoceros sized hyaenodon. This mother Cynodictis, a bear dog is searching
for her cubs. She resembles (and hunts) like a dog, yet she walks like a bear. She is a
member of the amphicyonid family. She finds one, the pup is dead. Hyaenodon, despite the
name, are not related to hyenas, nor are they related to dogs. Equipped with a bone-crushing
bite and fangs that are able to self-sharpen, they have the means to be a true apex predator.
The Entelodonts use this to their advantage. The satanic swines have won the battle. Even
in this dangerous land, the mother has bread a new litter of young, and will do anything
to protect them. The bear dogs will one day leave Mongolia, and travel across a land bridge
into a strange place that will one day be called North America.
Act 2 In the North American badlands, things are
not much different, although the American hyaenodon is not as large as their Asian brothers.
They continue to fight with the Entelodont for the title of apex predator, along with
a new and equally dangerous adversary is the false saber-toothed cat. After killing the
dinictis, the hyaenodon gets a drink. But then he looks up and sees his own end. Amphicyon,
a descendant of Cynodictis, is now prepared to take the crown once worn by them. Having
larger brains than their enemies provides them stronger senses, and gives them one more
strategic edge. These creatures are more strategic. Entelodonts and Hyaenodon work based on instinct,
and their destructive bites did the rest, as they had for millions of years. This is
a new reign. Now that the Amphicyon has no more competition, they were allowed to grow.
The greatest threat would only be themselves. Until the borophagine. . . the true dog. These
are epicyon are larger than any modern wolf. They are even more dangerous. Beaten at their
own game, amphicyon is no more.
Chapter 2 These pups will dire wolves. Able to take
out the American Bison, perhaps they have surpassed their epicyon ancestors. And their
family bond is so strong that they will nurture their wounded back to health. That is what
it means to be in a wolf pack. This behavior is what allows the dire wolf to survive even
the most damaging of injuries. Nurtured back to health, this wolf is able to get back on
his feet. He can even hunt for himself, except there is a new threat. Smilodon fatalis-the
knife tooth. Staying in a pack has its advantages, like reinforcements when the bullies arrive.
But reinforcements will not work for the short faced bear. There are not enough wolves here
to take out the short faced bear. They have no choice but to leave. The dire wolf's time
has come. Chapter 3
The last American lion follows his prey closely. He goes in for that fatal bite. Arctodus simius
hears this at a distance and he goes in. Descended from the same marine ancestors as seals and
walruses, the short faced bear is a force to be reckoned with on the land. He just wants
to scare off the lion. But the lion disagrees. Neither one is backing down! The lion goes
for the throat, but misses. Missing his first chance, the lion can't get a grip now. Now
they're sizing each other up. As the
bear charges, the lion tries to get one more hit. The bear has no choice, he has pinned
down the lion... and takes a bite. The lion is so determined; he is ignoring his fatal
wounds and catched the bear completely off-guard. Neither one will make the same mistake twice.
This time, it's to the death! And the
lion knocks the bear into oblivion! This is the final straw. Over a ledge, into a hole,
and that is the end of Panthera leo atrox; the American Lion.
Chapter 4 Competing with the dire wolves were their
smaller cousins the grey wolves, which have made it into this day. In fact, everything
we know about dire wolf behavior we know from the grey wolf. Hunting strategies, hierarchy,
everything except that grey wolves do not care for their own when they are injured.
And brown bears certainly exhibit the same behavior the short faced bear once did. And
of course the family feud between the dog and the bear continues. Continuing the magnificent
legacy of their ancestors.