Giant hell pigs used lion-like bite force to crush bones 30 million years ago, researchers have found

A quiet fossil gallery once felt still and silent. Then a huge skull hinted at a forgotten diet. Its worn teeth offered clues to behaviour long lost.

What did these ancient hell pigs eat?
New research suggests large Archaeotherium species crushed hard items. Their teeth held wear patterns linked with bone consumption. Smaller species seemed to slice softer food instead. The findings came from work by Brynn Wooten in Tennessee. She shared early results at a 2025 science meeting. The meeting was held by the Society of Vertebrate Palaeontology. The study has not yet been reviewed formally.

How big were these prehistoric creatures?
Archaeotherium lived across North America for millions of years. Some individuals stood almost as tall as humans. Their weight could exceed one thousand kilograms easily. Their bodies looked pig-like but held different origins. They were closer to whales and hippos genetically. Their huge heads formed nearly thirty percent of length. Yet their brains were remarkably small for their size.

Archaeotherium skeleton. Image: Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History/ Wikimedia Commons)