Discovery of Ancient Saber-Toothed Predator on Mallorca

Fossilized remains of a 270-million-year-old predator have been uncovered in Mallorca, revealing the presence of the oldest known saber-toothed mammalian ancestor. This creature, resembling a dog-sized husky with saber teeth, belonged to the gorgonopsids group, closely related to therapsids, the direct ancestors of mammals. These predators were significant superpredators before dinosaurs roamed the Earth, occupying diverse ecological roles. The remarkable find, consisting of numerous bone fragments, provides crucial insights into early mammalian evolution.

Excavated by an international team from Museu Balear de Ciències Naturals and other institutions, the fossils highlight the creature’s efficient locomotion, suggesting it hunted more actively than previously thought. The discovery marks the earliest record of gorgonopsids, which were warm-blooded and laid eggs, a characteristic shared with their synapsid relatives. Located in the Tramuntana mountain range, this fossil site, once part of the supercontinent Pangaea, offers a glimpse into a prehistoric ecosystem vastly different from modern Mallorca.