Chriacus

Name: Chriacus ‭(‬Useful‭)‬.
Phonetic: Cry-ak-us.
Named By: Edward Drinker Cope‭ ‬-‭ ‬1883.
Classification: Chordata,‭ ‬Mammalia,‭ ‬Condylarthra,‭ ‬Arctocyonidae.‭
Species: C.‭ ‬pelvidens‭ (‬type‭)‬,‭ ‬C.‭ ‬badgleyi,‭ ‬C.‭ ‬baldwini,‭ ‬C.‭ ‬calenancus,‭ ‬C.‭ ‬gallinae,‭ ‬C.‭ ‬katrinae,‭ ‬C.‭ ‬metocometi,‭ ‬C.‭ ‬oconostotae,‭ ‬C.‭ ‬pelvidens,‭ ‬C.‭ ‬punitor.
Diet: Probably an omnivore.
Size: About‭ ‬1‭ ‬meter long.
Known locations: Canada,‭ ‬USA.
Time period: Danian of the Paleocene.
Fossil representation: Around a hundred specimens,‭ ‬possibly more.

       Chriacus has a curious mix of features since it was a plantigrade quadruped that had hind legs suitable to climbing and fore legs suitable for digging.‭ ‬This has led to Chriacus being described as a raccoon-like animal,‭ ‬a generalist that could adapt its foraging behaviour to search for whatever food was available.‭ ‬This flexibility is reflected in the popular depiction of Chriacus as an omnivore,‭ ‬eating both plants and small animals,‭ ‬as well as possibly raiding nests for eggs and chicks.

Further reading
- Climbing adaptations in the early eocene mammal Chriacus and the origin of artiodactyla. - Science. 236 (4799): 314–316. - K. D. Rose - 1987.
- Virtual endocranial and inner ear endocasts of the Paleocene 'condylarth' Chriacus: new insight into the neurosensory system and evolution of early placental mammals. - Ornella C. Bertrand, Sarah L. Shelley John R. Wible Thomas E. Williamson Luke T. Holbrook Stephen G.B. Chester Ian B. Butler & Stephen L. Brusatte - 2019.

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