Heptodon

{{Short description|Extinct genus of mammal}}

{{Automatic taxobox

| fossil_range = {{Fossil range|50.3|48.6}} Ypresian

| image = Heptodon posticus.jpg

| taxon = Heptodon

| display_parents = 2

| authority = Cope 1882

| subdivision_ranks = Species

| subdivision = * {{extinct}}H. calciculus Cope 1880

• {{extinct}}H. minimus Qi 1987
• {{extinct}}H. niushanensis Chow & Li 1965
• {{extinct}}H. posticus Cope 1882

}}

Heptodon is an extinct genus of tapir-type herbivore of the family Helaletidae endemic to North America during the Early Eocene. It lived from 50.3—48.6 mya, existing for approximately {{Mya|50.3-48.6|million years}}.[https://paleobiodb.org/classic/checkTaxonInfo?taxon_no=43095 Heptodon at fossilworks]

Heptodon was about {{convert|1|m|ft}} in length, and closely resembled modern tapirs. The shape of the skull suggests that it probably lacked the characteristic tapir trunk. Instead it probably had a slightly elongated, fleshy upper lip, like its relative Helaletes.{{cite book |editor=Palmer, D.|year=1999 |title= The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals|publisher= Marshall Editions|location=London|page= 261|isbn= 1-84028-152-9}}