Dinocrocuta gigantea - Fossil skull - 41 cm - 25.5 cm

Dinocrocuta was a colossal member of the hyena family, an apex scavenger and predator that roamed the open plains of the Late Miocene. Slightly larger than a modern African lion, it possessed an immensely robust skull and jaws capable of crushing thick bones — a trait that earned it the nickname “the bone-breaking giant.”

Unlike today’s spotted hyenas, Dinocrocuta had a shorter muzzle, massive cheekbones, and thickened teeth adapted for cracking bones to extract marrow, allowing it to thrive in competitive ecosystems shared with saber-toothed cats and early canids.

Fossil evidence reveals that Dinocrocuta was among the largest hyenids ever known, possibly exceeding 200 kilograms in weight. Its immense bite force and scavenging dominance made it one of the most formidable carnivores of the Miocene epoch.

This specimen features a massive skull, as shown in the third image alongside a Machairodus skull measuring about 30 cm for comparison. What makes it especially remarkable is the completely intact pair of canines, beautifully stained with bluish-green mineralization, giving the skull an even more imposing and majestic appearance.

This Dinocrocuta likely had its carcass scavenged or decomposed after death millions of years ago. During preparation, the left posterior part of the skull was found missing, adding a layer of storytelling to the specimen. Approximately 5% of it has been restored, and part of the matrix was intentionally retained to facilitate mounting and display.

I sincerely recommend this carefully prepared fossil specimen to all collectors and enthusiasts.