CREODONT FAMILY: The Paradox of Time

Before the rise of the modern family of Carnivora, Creodonts (the dominant predators amongst early Mammals) first appeared during the time of Dinosaurs in the Cretaceous Era.  At this time, Creodonts were only the size of Rats.  However by the Oligocene epoch, Creodonts became the size of modern Rhinos.  During the Eocene epoch, Creodonts flourished the greatest in numbers and variety.  In all, They lived from 41 million years ago to 25 million years ago.

            Creodonts were divided into two groups – Oxyaenids and Hyaenodons.  Both groups had teeth designed to slice meat but no grinding teeth.  (Modern Carnivores have both.)  Similar to Cats and Weasels, Oxyaenids had long bodies, short legs, and long tails.  Meanwhile, Hyaenodons, similar to Dogs and Wolves, had longer legs and ran on their toes like dogs.

            Although one species of Hyaenodons existed until the Pliocene epoch, most Creodonts went extinct during the Oligocene epoch.  As the more specialized Predators of the Carnivora evolved, Creodonts died off.  Although scientists tried to connect the two groups, they could not prove that Creodonts were ancestors of Carnivora.  The two groups had evolved separately achieving the same ends as predators.

            Creodonts teach that life is not linear.  One thing does not necessarily flows from another one.  Life is like the springs that feed both lakes and seas, both different but both support life.  Creodonts and Carnivores are similar in that aspect since they were not linear in time but existed together.

            Creodonts guide us through the paradoxes of time.  They lead us through the eddies and whirlpools in the river that is time.  Sometimes Creodonts demonstrate parallel time, at other times breaks in the time-stream.  Let Creodonts hold you in time, and experience their fluid wisdom.