Plesictis Explained

Plesictis is an extinct prehistoric genus of mustelid^{[1] [2]} (originally described as a procyonid) endemic to Europe during the Oligocene and Miocene 33.9—20.0 Ma existing for approximately .^[3]

Plesictis was a 75cm (30inches) long animal, resembling a weasel with large eyes, or possibly a cacomistle. Its large eyes and very long tail suggest that it may have been nocturnal and arboreal. Judging from its teeth, it was an omnivore.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Mieczysław WOLSAN "Phylogeny and classification of early European Mustelida (Mammalia: Carnivora)"Acta Theriologica 38 (4): 345-384
2. CLEMENS MODDEN and MIECZYSLAW WOLSAN, "External brain morphology of the late Oligocene musteloid carnivoran Bavarictis gaimersheimensis" Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 45, 3, 301-310 http://app.pan.pl/archive/published/app45/app45-301.pdf
3. http://paleodb.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?action=checkTaxonInfo&taxon_no=41260&is_real_user=1 PaleoBiology Database: Plesictis, basic info
4. Book: Palmer, D.. 1999 . The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. Marshall Editions. London. 215. 1-84028-152-9.