Based on feeding mechanics, what modern animal might *Epicyon* functionally resemble?
Answer
Powerful hyaenids
Although *Epicyon haydeni* was a canid, when considering its specialized feeding mechanics—the consumption and crushing of bone—it might share functional similarities with powerful hyaenids. Hyaenids are renowned in the modern ecological context for their ability to crush bone fragments and consume them. This functional analogy helps paleontologists understand the ecological niche *E. haydeni* occupied, one centered around extracting maximum caloric value from carcasses by exploiting skeletal resources, rather than just focusing on its overall body shape similarity to modern wolves.
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