Patriofelis

Patriofelis ("father of cats") is an extinct genus of carnivorous placental mammals from the extinct subfamily Oxyaeninae within the extinct family Oxyaenidae. Meaning despite being a large cat-like predator, this was not a cat at all or even a direct ancestor of felids. It lived in North America during the early-middle Eocene, 50.3-46.2 Ma. Fossils have been found in Wyoming, Colorado, and Oregon.

Patriofelis is separated into two species.The type species Patriofelis ulta is most common in the lower Bridger Formation in the Bridger Basin of southwestern Wyoming. It has also been found in the Huerfano Formation of Colorado. Patriofelis ulta was a smaller species, weighing about 30 kilograms (66 lb) and reaching around 1.2 to 1.8 metres (3.9 to 5.9 ft) long, not including the tail.

A second species, Patriofelis ferox, was originally known as Limnofelis. It was much larger than Patriofelis ulta, up to 100 kilograms (220 lb), close to the size of a large jaguar. It is most common in the Bridger Basin as well, both the lower Bridger and lower Washakie formations. Fossils of this species also occur in the Clarno Formation at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon.

Patriofelis had a broad short-snouted skull, short legs with broad plantigrade feet, and a relatively long tail. The teeth were very thick relative to other oxyaenids, similar to hyenas in some regards.