So first I'll start with a general question, do you organize your syringes and needles by gauge/length? Or by the B-D # on the box? (I'll address this later)
I moved to a new store a little over a year ago and I have had nothing but issues with my RxM. I am an RxOM from Arizona, and my store was ahead of a lot of the stores here in Virginia (that i recently moved to). By that I mean we were piloting a lot of stuff years before this store has begun starting them. For example CENFILL was just launched recently at my store in VA and we had already had that at my AZ store for like 3 years previous. From the beginning pilot in AZ I experienced, nothing had really changed about it here in VA so I had a lot of tips and things to help my staff understand it and get used to it. Every single thing I brough up for it my RxM fought me on. I told her we shouldn't scan it in until we have it all put up because as soon as we scan it all the patients get a text that they are ready and they flock to the pharmacy and then its a wild goose chase trying to locate the scripts. So she scans it as soon as we get the totes in. I told her to scan all the totes at once when we are finished because it'll print out ONE long list of scripts we need to pull from the bins, so she scans them individually after each tote is put away. I suggested dividing the pharmacy into sections for outdates so everyone is responsible for their own small section and she said no its easier to just send a tech and have them do it and leave a sticker for the next random person to pick up from. She literally does the opposite of what I suggest for EVERYTHING. Also coming from a different store I have a different perspective so I can see what things are working and what arent, or things that could be made easier for the team because all the techs are practically brand new. The DM has even mentioned to me that its MY pharmacy and I can move things around and change it to my liking. He said ive done a great job pulling this store above water and that whatever im doing its working.
Now, my RxM had the syringes organized by the order of the B-D numbers. Every store I have ever worked at including my old store had them arranged by gauge and needle size. I noticed we had a lot of issues with needles and syringes being in OOS because everyone was confused on how the syringes were organized. It makes sense because when you organize by the B-D number the gauges and sizes all jump around so its like 18g is next to 25g next to 23g. I ASKED EVERY TECH AND THE STAFF PHARMACIST if it would be easier if i organized them by gauge and needle size because then you can just go and see that it goes 18g, then 21g, then 23g etc. All of them said yes that makes way more sense to them for them to be in order because when they go to the back they are looking for '25g 1in 1ml' not B-D #9576. I WOULD NOT have changed it if they said they liked it the way it is. It took me about three days in between customers and lunches to reorganize and get all the mylars re-done. I come in on a monday morning and my RxM is grinning ear to ear.
RxM: Did you see the syringes? Me: No why RxM: I changed them back to how they were :) Me: Why? It took me days to fix that RxM: The general consensus from this weekend was that its better this way not by gauge Me: Who is the general consensus? It was only you and 1 tech this weekend, so that leaves me, the staff pharmacist, and three other techs you didnt ask if it was okay to move them. I asked everyone before I moved them and everyone said it made more sense by gauge. Im just going to change them back. RxM: You CAN'T move them back I OVERRIDE YOU Me: I will be moving them back when I have the time
Fast forward to yesterday, my staff is super irritated that RxM moved them too because we had techs from other stores helping us all last week who couldn't find syringes due to RxM moving them back to B-D #. Staff confronted RxM about it because she obviously wasn't included in the 'consensus' or she would have objected. Picture in thread is the conversation between me and Staff. I am light brown she is dark brown bubble. My last response to my Staff was:
"It 'hasn't been an issue' except everyone OOS the syringes bc they don't understand how she has it. She has a whole brand new team now, and I KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE that gauge is easier. And this team being as new as it is could use easy solutions. Why is she refusing to make things easier for everyone else???"
The syringes isn't the only issue, this was just the last straw and most recent act of her being stubborn and I am sick of the 'I have been doing this for 20 years' excuse. Times change and she should adjust. Also mind you her whole previous team left because they couldnt stand her. The team I have currently is BRAND NEW to her, to walgreens, and to the pharmacy.

Art by Bob Nicholls
Nowadays, when we envision the words “prey,” among modern mammalian fauna, few taxa come to mind as quickly as the hoofed mammals, better known as the ungulates. Indeed, for the better part of their entire evolutionary history, the ungulates have become entirely indistinguishable from the term “prey.” Across their two major modern branches, the artiodactyls (the “even-toed ungulates,” such as bovids, pigs, deer, hippos and giraffes) and the perissodactyls (the “odd-toed ungulates,” including horses, rhinos and tapir), the ungulates too have created an empire spanning nearly every continent, establishing themselves as the the dominant herbivores throughout their entire range. However, as a price for such success, their lot as herbivores have forced them into an unenviable position: being the food for the predators. Indeed, throughout the diets of most modern predators, ungulates make up the majority, if not the entirety, of their diet, becoming their counterparts in this evolutionary dance of theirs. They have become the lamb to their wolf, the zebra to their lion, the stag to their tiger. If there is a predator in need of lunch, chances are that there is an ungulate there to provide it. Of course, such a dynamic is not necessarily a recent innovation. For the last 15-20 million years, across much of the world, both new and old, the ungulates have served as prey for these predators through it all. Over the course of whole epochs, these two groups have played into these roles for millions of years, coevolving with each other in an eons-long game of cat-and-mouse. The shoes they fill are not new, but have existed for ages, and within their niches they have cultivated their roles to perfection. Indeed, with such a tenured history, it seems hardly surprising the ungulates are wholly inseparable from the terms “prey,” itself.
However, while this is the case now, as it has been for the last 15-20 million years, go back far enough, and we see that this dynamic is not as set in stone as we would think. Indeed, back during the Eocene and Oligocene, during the very earliest days of age of mammals, things were very different for the ungulates. While today they are considered little more than food for modern predators, during these olden days, the ungulates weren’t quite so benign. In fact, far from being fodder for top predators, the ungulates had turned the tables, instead becoming top predators themselves. Indeed, though nearly unheard of today, throughout much of the Eocene and Oligocene, carnivorous ungulates thrived in abundance, developing specializations for catching large prey and establishing themselves as top predators that competed alongside the more traditional carnivores, and even dominating them in some instances. Given such success, it’s no wonder that multiple such clades had arisen during this time. Such predators included the arctocyonids, a lineage of (ironically) hoof-less ungulates with large jaws and sharp teeth for capturing large prey. There were also the mesonychians, a lineage of dog-like ungulates with massive skulls and jaws that allowed them to reign as the top predator across much of the Eocene.
However, among these various lineages, one stands stands out among the rest, by far. Arising during the Eocene, this lineage, though superficially resembling modern pigs, hailed from one an ancient lineage of artiodactyls far removed from swine or most other ungulates in general, with few close relatives alive today. Through perhaps not the most predatory of the bunch, it was among the most formidable, as their superficially pig-like appearance came with giant predatory jaws and teeth unlike anything from the modern era. And of course, as if all of that wasn’t enough, this lineage also went on to earn arguably one of the most badass nicknames of any lineage of mammals, period. These predators, of course, were the entelodonts, a.k.a the “hell-pigs.” More so than any other predatory ungulate lineage, these formidable ungulates were the ones to turn the current paradigm upside down, becoming some of the largest and most dominant carnivores in their landscape, even with (and often in spite of) the presence of more traditional predators. Through impressive size, fearsome teeth and sheer tenacity, these animals became the top dogs of their time, ruling as behemoth-kings of their Paleogene kingdoms, domineering all comers, and throughout the ranks, one entelodont in particular demonstrated such dominance the best. Though not the largest or most powerful of their kind, it is one of the most iconic, being among the most well-known members of its lineage to date. Moreover, this enteledont also has some of the most complete life histories ever seen out of this clade, with its brutality and predatory prowess being displayed in the fossil record in a way seen in no other member of its kind. More than anything else, however, it was this predator that best turned the notion of “ungulates being prey” on its head, living in an environment that bore some of the largest carnivoran hypercarnivores to date and still reigning as the undisputed top predator of its domain. This fearsome beast was none other than Archaeotherium, icon of the entelodonts, terror of the Oligocene American west and undisputed king of the White River badlands.
The rise of Archaeotherium (and of entelodonts in general) is closely tied to the ascendancy of carnivorous ungulates as a whole, one of the earliest evolutionary success stories of the entire Cenozoic. Having become their own derived clade since the late Cretaceous, the ungulates were remarkably successful during the early Paleogene, as they were among the first mammalian clades to reach large sizes during those early days after the non-avian dinosaurs had gone extinct. As such, it was with incredible swiftness that, as the Paleogene progressed, the ungulates swooped upon the various niches left empty by the K-Pg mass extinction that killed the dinosaurs. This of course included the herbivorous niches we would know them for today, but this also included other, much more carnivore roles. Indeed, early on during the Paleogene, it was the ungulates that first seized the roles of large mammalian predators, becoming some the earliest large mammalian carnivores to ever live, well before even the carnivorans. Such predators included the arctocyonids, a lineage of vaguely dog-like, hoof-less ungulates with robust jaws and sharpened teeth that acted as some of earliest large carnivores of the Paleocene, with genera such as Arctocyon mumak getting up to the size of big cats. Even more prolific were the mesonychids. More so than what pretty much any other lineage of predator, it was the mesonychids that would stand out as the earliest dominant predators of the early Cenozoic. Growing up to the size of bears and with enormous, bone-crushing jaws, the mesonychids were among the most powerful and successful predators on the market at that time, with a near-global range and being capable of subjugating just about any other predator in their environments. Indeed, they, along with other carnivorous ungulates (as well as ungulates in general), were experiencing a golden age during this time, easily being the most prolific predators of the age. Given such prevalence, it should be no surprise that there would be yet another lineage of predatory ungulates would throw their hat into the ring, and by early Eocene, that contender would none other than the entelodonts.
The very first entelodonts had arisen from artiodactyl ancestors during the Eocene epoch, at a time when artiodactyls were far more diverse and bizarre than they are now. Through today known from their modern herbivorous representatives such as bovines, deer, and antelope, during the Paleocene and Eocene, the artiodacyls, as with most ungulates of that time, were stronger and far more predaceous, particularly when it came to one such clade of artiodactyls, the cetacodontamorphs. Only known today from hippos and another group of artiodactyls (one which will become relevant later), the cetacodantomorphs emerged out of Asia around 55 million years ago, at around the same time that artiodactyls themselves had made their debut. These animals included the first truly predatory artiodactyls, with many of them possessing large skulls with powerful jaws and sharp, predatory teeth. Among their ranks included animals as puny as Indohyus, a piscivorous artiodactyl the size of a cat, to as formidable as Andrewsarchus, a giant, bison-sized predator often touted as one of the largest predatory mammals to ever live. Given such a predatory disposition, it wouldn’t be long until this clade produced a lineage of truly diverse, truly successful predators, and by around 40 million years ago, that is exactly what they did, as it was at that time that the entelodonts themselves first emerged. From their Asian homeland, the entelodonts spread across the world, spreading through not only most of Eurasia but also colonizing North America as well, with genera such as Brachyhyops being found across both continents. Here, in this North American frontier, the entelodonts began to diversify further, turning into their most successful and formidable forms yet, and it was around the late Eocene and early Oligocene that Archaeotherium itself had entered the scene.
Just from a passing glance at Archaeotherium, it is clear how exactly it (as well as the other entelodonts) earned the nickname of “hell-pigs.” It was a bruiser for starters; its body bore a robust, pig-like physique, with prominent neural spines and their associated musculature forming a hump around the shoulder region, similar to the hump of a bison. With such a bulky physique came with it impressive size; the average A. mortoni had a head-body length of roughly 1.6-2.0 m (5.3-6.6 ft), a shoulder height of 1.2 m (4 ft) and a body mass of around 180 kg (396 lb) in weight (Boardman & Secord, 2013; Joeckel, 1990). At such sizes, an adult Archaeotherium the size of a large male black bear. However, they had the potential to get even bigger. While most Archaeotherium specimens were around the size described above, a select few specimens, labeled under the synonymous genus “Megachoerus,” are found to be much larger, with skulls getting up to 66% longer than average A. mortoni specimens (Foss, 2001; Joeckel, 1990). At such sizes and using isometric scaling, such massive Archaeotherium specimens would attained body lengths over 2.5 m (8.2 ft) and would have reached weighs well over 500 kg (1100 lb), or as big as a mature male polar bear. Indeed, at such sizes, it is already abundantly evident that Archaeotherium is a force to be recorded with.
However, there was more to these formidable animals than sheer size alone. Behind all that bulk was an astoundingly swift and graceful predator, especially in terms of locomotion. Indeed, the hoofed feet of Archaeotherium, along with other entelodonts, sported several adaptations that gave it incredible locomotive efficiency, essentially turning it into a speed demon of the badlands. Such adaptations include longer distal leg elements (e.g. the radius and tibia) than their proximal counterparts (e.g. the humerus and femur), fusion of the radius and ulna for increased running efficiency, the loss of the clavicle (collar-bone) to allow for greater leg length, the loss of the acromion to enhance leg movement along the fore-and-aft plane, the loss of digits to reduce the mass of the forelimb, the fusion of the ectocuneiform and the mesocuneiform wrist-bones, among many other such traits (Theodore, 1996) . Perhaps most significant of these adaptations is the evolution of the “double-pulley astragalus (ankle-bone),” a specialized modification of the ankle that, while restricting rotation and side-to-side movement at the ankle-joint, allows for greater rotation in the fore-and-aft direction, thus allowing for more more powerful propulsion from the limbs, faster extension and retraction of the limbs and overall greater locomotive efficiency (Foss, 2001). Of course, such a trait was not only found in entelodonts but in artiodactyls as a whole, likely being a response to predatory pressures from incumbent predatory clades arising at the same time as the artiodactyls (Foss, 2001). However, in the case of the entelodonts, such adaptations were not used for merely escaping predators. Rather, they were used to for another, much more lethal effect…
Such notions are further reinforced by the entelodonts most formidable aspect, none either than their fearsome jaws, and in this respect, Archaeotherium excelled. Both for its size and in general, the head of Archaeotherium was massive, measuring 40-50 cm (1.3-1.6 ft) in length among average A. mortoni specimens, to up to 78 cm (~2.6 ft) in the larger “Megachoerus” specimens (Joeckel, 1990). Such massive skulls were supported and supplemented by equally massive neck muscles and ligaments, which attached to massive neural spines on the anterior thoracic vertebrae akin to a bisons hump as well as to the sternum, allowing Archaeotherium to keep its head aloft despite the skulls massive size (Effinger, 1998). Of course, with such a massive skull, it should come as no surprise that such skulls housed exceptionally formidable jaws as well, and indeed, the bite of Archaeotherium was an especially deadly one. Its zygomatic arches (cheek-bones) and its temporal fossa were enlarged and expanded, indicative of massive temporalis muscles that afforded Archaeotherium astoundingly powerful bites (Joeckel, 1990). This is further augmented by Archaeotherium’s massive jugal flanges (bony projections of the cheek), which supported powerful masseter muscles which enhanced chewing and mastication, as well as an enlarged postorbital bar that reinforced the skull against torsional stresses (Foss, 2001). Last but not least, powerful jaws are supplemented by an enlarged gape, facilitated by a low coronoid process and enlarged posterior mandibular tubercles (bony projections originating from the lower jaw), which provided an insertion site for sternum-to-mandible jaw abduction muscles, allowing for a more forceful opening of the jaw (Foss, 2001). All together, such traits suggest a massive and incredibly fearsome bite, perhaps the most formidable of any animal in its environment.
Of course, none of such traits are especially indicative of a predatory lifestyle. Indeed, many modern non-predatory ungulates, like hippos, pigs and peccaries, also possess large, formidable skulls and jaws. However, in peeling back the layers, it is found there was more to the skull of Archaeotherium that lies in store. Indeed, when inspecting the animal closely, a unique mosaic of features is revealed; traits that make it out to be much more lethal than the average artiodactyl. On one hand, Archaeotherium possessed many traits similar to those of herbivores animals, as is expected of ungulates. For instance, its jaw musculature that allowed the lower jaw of Archaeotherium a full side-to-side chewing motion as in herbivores (whereas most carnivores can only move their lower jaw up and down)(Effinger, 1998). On the other hand, Archaeotherium wielded many other traits far more lethal in their morphology, less akin to a herbivore and far more akin to a bonafide predator. For instance, the aforementioned enlarged gape of Archaeotherium is a bizarre trait on a supposed herbivore, as such animals do not need large gapes to eat vegetation and thus have smaller, more restricted gapes. Conversely, many predatory lineages have comparatively large gapes, as larger gapes allow for the the jaws to grab on to more effectively larger objects, namely large prey animals (Joeckel, 1990).
Such a juxtaposition, however, is most evident when discussing the real killing instruments of Archaeotherium — the teeth. More so than any facet of this animal, the teeth of Archaeotherium are the real stars of the show, showing both how alike it was compared to its herbivores counterparts and more importantly, how it couldn’t be more different. For instance, the molars of Archaeotherium were quite similar to modern herbivores ungulates, in that they were robust, bunodont, and were designed for crushing and grinding, similar in form and function to modern ungulates like peccaries (Joeckel, 1990). However, while the molars give the impression that Archaeotherium was a herbivore, the other teeth tell a very different story. The incisors, for example, were enlarged, sharpened, and fully interlocked (as opposed to the flat-topped incisors seen in herbivores ungulates), creating an incisor array that was seemingly ill-suited for cropping vegetation and much more adept at for gripping, puncturing and cutting (Joeckel, 1990). Even more formidable were the canines. Like the modern pigs from which entelodonts derived their nicknames, the canines of Archaeotherium were sharp and enlarged to form prominent tusk-like teeth, but unlike pigs, they were rounded in cross-section (similar to modern carnivores like big cats, indicating more durable canines that can absorb and resist torsional forces, such as those from struggling prey) and were serrated to form a distinct cutting edge (Effinger, 1998; Joeckel, 1990; Ruff & Van Valkenburgh, 1987). These canines, along with the incisors, interlock to stabilize the jaws while biting and dismantling in a carnivore-like fashion. More strikingly, the canines also seem to act as “occlusal guides,” wherein the canines help align the movement and position of the rear teeth as they come together, allowing for a more efficient shearing action by the rear teeth. This function is seen most prevalently modern carnivores mammals, and is evidenced by the canine tooth-wear, which is also analogous to modern predators like bears and canids (Joeckel, 1990). Indeed, going off such teeth alone, it is clear that Archaeotherium is far more predatory than expected of an ungulate. However, the real stars of the show, the teeth that truly betray the predatory nature of these ungulates, are the premolars. Perhaps the most carnivore-like teeth in the entelodont’s entire tooth row, the premolars of Archaeotherium, particularly the anterior premolars, are laterally compressed, somewhat conical in shape, and are weakly serrated to bear a cutting edge, giving them a somewhat carnivorous form and function of shearing and slicing (Effinger, 1998). Most strikingly of all, the premolars of Archaeotherium bear unique features similar not to modern herbivores, but to durophagous carnivores like hyenas, particularly apical wear patterns, highly thickened enamel, “zigzag-shaped” enamel prism layers (Hunter-Schraeger bands) on the premolars which is also seen in osteophagous animals like hyenas, and an interlocking premolar interface wherein linear objects (such as bones) inserted into jaws from the side would be pinned between the premolars and crushed (Foss, 2001). Taken together, these features do not suggest a diet of grass or vegetation like other ungulates. Rather, they suggest a far more violent diet, one including flesh as well as hard, durable foods, particularly bone. All in all, the evidence is clear. Archaeotherium and other entelodonts, unlike the rest of their artiodactyl kin, were not the passive herbivores as we envision ungulates today. Rather, they were willing, unrepentant meat-eaters that had a taste for flesh as well as foliage.
Of course, even with such lines of evidence, its hard to conclude that Archaeotherium was a true predator. After all, its wide gape and durophagous teeth could have just as easily been used for scavenging or even to eat tough plant matter such as seeds or nuts, as in peccaries and pigs, which themselves share many of the same adaptations as Archaeotherium, include the more carnivorous ones (e.g. the wide gape, using the canines as an occlusal guide, etc.). How exactly do we know that these things were veritable predators and not pretenders to the title. To this end, there is yet one last piece of evidence, one that puts on full display the predatory prowess of Archaeotherium —evidence of a kill itself. Found within oligocene-aged sediment in what is now Wyoming, a collection of various fossil remains was found, each belonging to the ancient sheep-sized camel Poebrotherium, with many of the skeletal remains being disarticulated and even missing whole hindlimbs or even entire rear halves of their body. Tellingly, many of the remains bear extensive bite marks and puncture wounds across their surface. Upon close examination, the spacing and size of the punctures leave only one culprit: Archaeotherium. Of course, such an event could still have been scavenging; the entelodonts were consuming the remains of already dead, decomposed camels, explaining the bite marks. What was far more telling, however, was where the bite marks were found. In addition bite marks being found on the torso and lumbar regions of the camels, various puncture wounds were found on the skull and neck, which were otherwise uneaten. Scavengers rarely feast on the head to begin with; there is very little worthwhile meat on it besides the brain, cheek-muscles and eyes, and even if they did feed on the skull and neck, they would still eat it wholesale, not merely bite it and then leave it otherwise untouched. Indeed, it was clear that this was no mere scavenging event. Rather than merely consuming these camels, Archaeotherium was actively preying upon and killing them, dispatching them via a crushing bite to the skull or neck before dismembering and even bisecting the hapless camels with their powerful jaws to preferentially feast on their hindquarters (likely by swallowing the hindquarters whole, as the pelvis of Poebrotherium was coincidentally the perfect width for Archaeotherium to devour whole), eventually discarding the leftovers in meat caches for later consumption (Sundell, 1999). With this finding, such a feat of brutality leaves no doubt in ones mind as to what the true nature of Archaeotherium was. This was no herbivore, nor was it a simple scavenger. This was an active, rapacious predator, the most powerful in its entire ecosystem.
Indeed, with such brutal evidence of predation frozen in time, combined with various dental, cranial, and post cranial adaptations of this formidable animal, it’s possible to paint a picture of how this formidable creature lived. Though an omnivore by trade, willing and able to feast on plant matter such as grass, roots and tubers, Archaeotherium was also a wanton predator that took just about any prey it wanted. Upon detecting its prey, it approached its vicim from ambush before launching itself at blazing speed. From there, its cursorial, hoofed legs, used by other ungulates for escape predation, were here employed to capture prey, carrying it at great speeds as it caught up to its quarry. Having closed the distance with its target, it was then that the entelodont brought its jaws to bear, grabbing hold of the victim with powerful jaws and gripping teeth to bring it to a screeching halt. If the victim is lucky, Archaeotherium will then kill it quickly with a crushing bite to the skull or neck, puncturing the brain or spinal cord and killing its target instantly. If not, the victim is eaten alive, torn apart while it’s still kicking, as modern boars will do today. In any case, incapacitated prey are subsequently dismantled, with the entelodont using its entire head and heavily-muscled necks to bite into and pull apart its victim in devastating “puncture-and pull’ bites (Foss, 2001). Prey would then finally be consumed starting at the hindquarters, with not even the bones of its prey being spared. Such brutality, though far from clean, drove home a singular truth: that during this time, ungulates were not just prey, that they were not the mere “predator-fodder” we know them as today. rather, they themselves were the predators themselves, dominating as superb hunters within their domain and even suppressing clades we know as predators today, least of all the carnivorans. Indeed, during this point in time, the age of the carnivorous ungulates had hit their stride, and more specifically, the age of entelodonts had begun.
Of course, more so than any other ettelodont, Archaeotherium took to this new age with gusto. Archaeotherium lived from 35-28 million years ago during the late Eocene and early Oligocene in a locality known today as the White River Badlands, a fossil locality nestled along the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains. Though a chalky, barren landscape today, during the time of Archaeotherium, the White River Badlands was a swamp-like floodplain crisscrossed with rivers and interspersed with by a mosaic of forests concentrated around waterways, open woodlands and open plains. As with most ecosystems with such a lush disposition, this locale teemed with life, with ancient hornless rhinos, small horse-like hyracodonts and early camels roaming the open habitats while giant brontotheres, small early horses and strange, sheep-like ungulates called merycoidodonts (also known as “oreodonts”) dwelled within the dense forests. Within this locale, Archaeotherium stalked the open woodlands and riparian forests of its domain. Here, it acted as a dominant predator and scavenger across is territory, filling a niche similar to modern grizzly bears but far more predatory. Among its preferred food items would be plant matter such as roots, foliage and nuts, but also meat in the form of carrion or freshly caught prey. In this respect, smaller ungulates such as the fleet-footed camel Poebrotherium, a known prey item of Archaeotherium, would have made a for choice prey, as its small size would make it easy for Archaeotherium to dispatch with its powerful jaws, while the entelodonts swift legs gave it the speed necessary to keep pace with its agile prey.
However, the entelodont didn’t have such a feast all to itself. Just as the badlands teemed with herbivores, so too did it teem with rival predators. Among their ranks included fearsome predators such as Hyaenodon, a powerful, vaguely dog-like predator up to the size of wolves (as in H. horridus) or even lions (as in the Eocene-aged H. megaloides, which was replaced by H. horridus during the Oligocene). Armed with a massive head, fierce jaws and a set of knife-like teeth that could cut down even large prey in seconds, these were some of the most formidable predators on the landscape. There were also the nimravids, cat-like carnivorans that bore saber-teeth to kill large prey in seconds, and included the likes of the lynx-sized Dinictis, the leopard-sized Hoplophoneus and even the jaguar-sized Eusmilus. Furthermore, there were amphicyonids, better known as the bear-dogs. Though known from much larger forms later on in their existence, during the late Eocene and Oligocene, they were much smaller and acted as the “canid-analogues” of the ecosystem, filling a role similar to wolves or coyotes. Last but not least, there were the bathornithid birds, huge cariamiform birds related to modern seriemas but much larger, which filled a niche similar to modern seriemas or secretary birds, albeit on a much larger scale. Given such competition, it would seem that Archaeotherium would have its hands full. However, things are not as they appear. For starters, habitat differences would mitigate high amounts of competition, as both Hyaenodon and the various nimravids occupy more specialized ecological roles (being a plains-specialist and forest-specialist, respectively) than did Archaeotherium, providing a buffer to stave off competition: More importantly, however, none of the aforementioned predators were simply big enough to take Archaeotherium on. During the roughly 7 million years existence of Archaeotherium, the only carnivore that matched it in size was H. megaloides, and even that would have an only applied to average A. mortoni individuals, not to the much larger, bison-sized “Megachoerus” individuals. The next largest predator at that point would be the jaguars-sized Eusmilus (specifically E. adelos) which would have only been a bit more than half the size of even an average A. mortoni. Besides that, virtually every other predator on the landscape was simply outclassed by the much larger entelodont in terms of size and brute strength. As such, within its domain, Archaeotherium had total, unquestioned authority, dominating the other predators in the landscape and likely stealing their kills as well. In fact, just about the only threat Archaeotherium had was other Archaeotherium, as fossil bite marks suggest that this animal regularly and fraglantly engaged in intraspecific combat, usually through face-biting and possibly even jaw-wrestling (Effinger, 1998; Tanke & Currie, 1998). Nevertheless, it was clear that Archaeotherium was the undisputed king of the badlands; in a landscape of hyaenodonts and carnivorans galore, it was a hoofed ungulate that reigned supreme.
However, such a reign would not last. As the Eocene transitioned into the Eocene, the planet underwent an abrupt cooling and drying phase known as Eocene-Oligocene Transition or more simply the Grande Coupure. This change in climate would eliminate the sprawling wetlands and river systems that Archaeotherium had been depending on, gradually replacing it with drier and more open habitats. To its credit, Archaeotherium did manage to hang on, persisting well after the Grand-Coupure had taken place, but in the end the damage had been done; Archaeotherium was a dead-man-walking. Eventually, by around 28 million years ago, Archaeotherium would go extinct, perishing due to this change in global climate (Gillham, 2019). Entelodonts as a whole would persist into the Miocene, producing some of their largest forms ever known in the form of the bison-sized Daeodon (which was itself even more carnivorous than Archaeotherium), however they too would meet the same fate as their earlier cousins. By around 15-20 million years ago, entelodonts as a whole would go extinct. However, while the entelodonts may have perished, this was not the end of carnivorous ungulates as a whole. Recall that the cetacodontamorphs, the lineage of artiodactyls that produced the entelodonts, left behind two living descendants. The first among them were the hippos, themselves fairly frequent herbivores. The second of such lineage, however, was a different story. Emerging out of South Asia, this lineage of piscivorous cetacodontamorphs, in a an attempt to further specialize for the fish-hunting lifestyle, began to delve further and further into the water, becoming more and more aquatic and the millennia passed by. At a certain point, these carnivorous artiodactlys had become something completely unrecognizable from their original hoofed forms. Their skin became hairless and their bodies became streamlined for life in water. Their hoofed limbs grew into giant flippers for steering in the water and their previously tiny tails became massive and sported giant tail flukes for aquatic propulsion. Their noses even moved to the tip of their head, becoming a blowhole that would be signature to this clade as a whole. Indeed, this clade was none other than the modern whales, themselves derived, carnivorous ungulates that had specialized for a life in the water, and in doing so, became the some of the most dominant aquatic predators across the globe for millions of years. Indeed, though long gone, the legacy of the entelodonts and of predatory ungulates as a whole, a legacy Archaeotherium itself had helped foster, lives on in these paragons of predatory prowess, showing that the ungulates are more than just the mere “prey” that they are often made out to be. Moreover, given the success that carnivorous ungulates had enjoyed in the past and given how modern omnivorous ungulates like boar dabble in predation themselves, perhaps, in the distant future, this planet may see the rise of carnivorous ungulates once again, following in the footsteps left behind by Archaeotherium and the other predatory ungulates all those millions of years ago.

Finally woke up after a long and restful sleep. I feel like myself again for the first time in ages. How have I been having poor sleep? Two? Three weeks? You'd think the biking would help me sleep. I feel much less sick at least. This morning I called my mom to see how she was doing and wish her a happy belated mother's Day. I'm not always up for a phone call but when I am it is nice. I think I've made a half dozen phone calls on the trip, for the most part I've only spoken at length to Bryce for the past two months.
Our exit was slowed from me being a mess the night before and leaving a pile of stuff scattered on the floor as well as some elderly folks waylaying us for stories and pictures with them. They bought us some chocolates from the hotel to take with us and insisted we all get good photos. The ladies said the two of us were big big people. I guess that makes sense when you've shrunk in the wash.
I didn't have a lot of pep so we rode up the mountain road rather slowly. We don't need to make crazy time today so I didn't feel like moving fast. The sun was hot but the tall trees in the area gave us shade sometimes, which was nice. The villages we went through were even more desolate than the one we stayed in, with the large majority looking shuttered and not a single business was open when we rode through. We were getting hungry and it seemed like every few buildings we saw a sign for soba noodles, but alas, no soba noodles. Eventually we finally found an open restaurant, a very lovely and tidy place with a few customers serving locally made soba with tempura made from locally grown veggies and mushrooms. It was all fantastic, and a lot. We couldn't finish it all! A patron complimented me on the Japanese I was using, saying it was very good.
The compliment struck me, as I was using Japanese to converse, but I wrote less than a week ago that I wasn't using my Japanese. The difference being that I don't feel like crap today, I guess. Such is living with BPD, the intense polarization of thought that must be resisted lest you form a totally incorrect worldview based on a gut feel that has more to do with what you ate than who you are as a person. It all gets mixed up and I land up having totally convincing thoughts that are simply wrong. What a pain.
Somewhat shortly after lunch, more pains showed up as the consequences of eating a pound of deep fried veggies came to call. Good grief. Getting the runs while biking or really any exercise is rough. Not only do you need to find a bathroom quickly, but the upset stomach and dehydration really cause problems. I struggled for the rest of the day, this not being a great compliment to the roughness of the day before. Luckily we were at the top of the mountain pass by this point and on our way down.
The other side was a gentle slope downwards and easy on the body. With just a little effort we could keep moving at a steady pace, bathroom breaks notwithstanding. The mountain valley was gorgeous, steep slopes covered in thick forest above deep rivers, the road passing high above via tall bridges. Every so often we came across a hydroelectric dam. Electricity, soba, and wasabi seem to be the three things made in this region. I wondered with so little flat land, what brought people to the area in the first place?
I needed another break after a few hours and guided us to a tourist spot that seemed nice enough on Google. Down the hill and to the river we went, passing a number of knicknack shops that exist beside the trap. One had a workshop in it, this shop had cute little wooden mushroom figures as well as wooden dolls that look like nesting dolls but do not nest. We bought nothing, instead walking down to the suspension bridge across the river. The river gorge we walked over had towering pillars of eroded sedementary rock showing previous flood surges. The top ones appeared to be 30m or more above our heads, an unimaginable height and based on the shops just above where we were, one that was not possible anymore. Talk about trusting your civil engineers! The little bridge led across the river to a flight of steep and irregular steps to a shrine nestled in a cave. The shrine wasn't flashy, but it was probably extremely old. The bridge looked new, however. We didn't stay long to find much else out.
Climbing back up to our bikes, I started to feel nauseated and we decided to take a longer break and drink a bunch of water and sports drinks. It helped a bit. We got back to riding, the gorge turning into a wider and lovely valley around minamiazu, then a series of long tunnels, before breaking out into the very wide valley where aizuwakamatsu lives. We could see mount Bandai ahead and to the right, a brown peak above green mountains. A lovely valley and a perfect evening, the sun darkening to orange as it begun it's descent above mount asahi to the northwest. Riding a very nice bike path that followed the river, we easily found a campsite under a bridge, then went for dinner. After a lackluster sushi dinner that we both found just okay, we decided that neither of us had and energy left and we should just set up camp and get cozy. We got some snacks for extra calories and headed over.
I feel like I'm short stacking on details today, but my mind was pretty distracted with feeling sick and some other thoughts not appropriate for a public forum. Oh well. There's always more time to muse tomorrow.

Costa Rica With Kids Hey there! Ready to embark on an unforgettable family adventure? Look no further than Costa Rica with kids!We've got you covered with all the best activities and attractions that will make your trip truly magical. From exploring breathtaking waterfalls and national parks to thrilling outdoor adventures and relaxing hot springs, Costa Rica has it all.And don't forget about the educational and cultural experiences along the way. Get ready to create lasting memories and experience the freedom of exploration in beautiful Costa Rica!Key TakeawaysCosta Rica offers a wide range of nature escapes and national parks for families to connect with nature and create lasting memories.The country provides endless opportunities for adventure and outdoor activities, such as surfing, zip-lining, and wildlife tours.Hot springs in Costa Rica, like Tabacon and Baldi, offer a tranquil oasis for relaxation and rejuvenation, with various health benefits.Educational and cultural experiences, such as the Chocolate Tour and wildlife rescue centers, allow families to learn about Costa Rican culture and environmental issues in a fun and engaging way.Waterfall and Nature EscapesWhen it comes to exploring Costa Rica with kids, one of the most exciting subtopics is Waterfall and Nature Escapes. Costa Rica is known for its breathtaking natural beauty, and there are plenty of opportunities for families to immerse themselves in the wonders of waterfalls and nature.Two must-visit attractions in this category are the La Fortuna Waterfall and the Arenal Volcano Hike.The La Fortuna Waterfall is a true hidden gem. Located near the Arenal Volcano, this stunning waterfall cascades down a 75-meter cliff into a crystal-clear pool below. The hike to the waterfall is relatively easy and suitable for families with children of all ages. Once you reach the base, you can take a refreshing swim in the pool or simply relax and take in the magnificent surroundings. It's a truly magical experience that will leave your kids in awe.Another must-do activity is the Arenal Volcano Hike. This exciting adventure takes you through the lush rainforest, where you'll have the chance to spot exotic wildlife and learn about the area's geological history. As you make your way up the volcano, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. It's a great opportunity for your kids to learn about volcanoes and the importance of preserving our natural resources.Both the La Fortuna Waterfall and the Arenal Volcano Hike offer unique experiences that combine adventure and natural beauty. They provide the perfect opportunity for families to connect with nature and create lasting memories. So, if you're planning a trip to Costa Rica with your kids, make sure to include these incredible attractions in your itinerary.National Parks and WildlifeExploring the National Parks and Wildlife in Costa Rica is an incredible experience for families. The country is known for its abundant biodiversity and commitment to conservation efforts. Here are some highlights of what you can expect when visiting the national parks and encountering wildlife in Costa Rica:Wildlife encounters: Costa Rica is home to a rich variety of animal species, including monkeys, sloths, toucans, and colorful frogs. As you explore the national parks, keep your eyes peeled for these fascinating creatures. You might even have the opportunity to spot sea turtles nesting on the beaches or witness the majestic humpback whales during their migration.Conservation efforts: Costa Rica takes great pride in its conservation initiatives. The national parks are carefully managed to protect the fragile ecosystems and ensure the long-term survival of the wildlife. By visiting these parks, you not only get to enjoy the beauty of nature but also contribute to the conservation efforts that help preserve these habitats for future generations.Educational experiences: Many of the national parks offer guided tours led by knowledgeable naturalists. These experts can provide valuable insights about the wildlife and the conservation efforts in place. They'll help you and your kids learn about the importance of protecting the environment and the role each of us can play in preserving it.Exploring the national parks and encountering wildlife in Costa Rica is an adventure that will leave lasting memories for your family. It's an opportunity to witness nature's wonders up close and personal while also supporting the conservation efforts that ensure the preservation of these incredible ecosystems. So pack your binoculars and get ready for an unforgettable journey into the wild!Adventure and Outdoor ActivitiesWe can enjoy a variety of adventure and outdoor activities in Costa Rica with our kids. Costa Rica is known for its stunning landscapes and diverse ecosystems, making it the perfect destination for outdoor sports and family-friendly adventures.One popular activity is surfing, and Tamarindo is the place to be for beginners. We can take surf lessons together as a family and ride the waves of the Pacific Ocean. It's an exhilarating experience that will create lasting memories.For a thrilling aerial adventure, we can visit the Arenal Ecoglide Park. Here, we can zip line through the rainforest canopy, getting a unique perspective of Costa Rica's natural beauty. The park offers various zip line courses suitable for all ages, ensuring that everyone can participate.If we want to explore the waterways of Costa Rica, we can take a Tamarindo Estuary Boat Tour. This guided tour will take us through mangroves and provide opportunities to spot wildlife such as monkeys and crocodiles. It's a fantastic way to connect with nature and learn about the local ecosystem.For animal encounters, we can visit the Club Rio Outdoor Center. Here, we can interact with friendly animals like sloths, toucans, and monkeys. We can also enjoy activities such as horseback riding and tubing down the river. It's a great place for the whole family to have fun and discover Costa Rica's wildlife.Costa Rica offers endless opportunities for adventure and outdoor activities. From surfing to zip-lining, there's something for everyone in the family to enjoy. So pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable journey filled with excitement and exploration in the beautiful landscapes of Costa Rica.Hot Springs and RelaxationWhen it comes to hot springs and relaxation in Costa Rica, two popular options are Tabacon Hot Springs and Baldi Hot Springs.Tabacon offers a more natural and serene setting, while Baldi is known for its larger pools and family-friendly atmosphere.Both options provide a range of activities for kids to enjoy, such as water slides and swim-up bars.Tabacon Vs. BaldiOne option for hot springs and relaxation in Costa Rica is Tabacon. Nestled at the base of the majestic Arenal Volcano, Tabacon boasts natural thermal springs surrounded by lush rainforest. The warm waters cascade into picturesque pools, creating a tranquil oasis for the whole family to enjoy.Another option is Baldi, located in La Fortuna. Baldi features a series of pools with varying temperatures, providing a range of options for relaxation. The highlight of Baldi is its exciting water slides, perfect for kids and thrill-seekers alike.Both hot springs offer unique experiences for families seeking rejuvenation and fun. Whether you prefer the serene ambiance of Tabacon or the thrilling water slides at Baldi, both hot springs offer a memorable experience. So, take your pick and soak in the natural beauty of Costa Rica's hot springs!Hot Springs BenefitsOur family's favorite way to relax and unwind in Costa Rica is by enjoying the benefits of hot springs. Not only are they incredibly soothing and rejuvenating, but they also offer numerous health benefits. Hot springs are known to improve blood circulation, relieve muscle tension, and promote a sense of calm and relaxation. They can also help with stress reduction and improve sleep quality.When it comes to the best hot springs in Costa Rica, two options stand out: Tabacon Hot Springs and Baldi Hot Springs. Tabacon is famous for its natural thermal mineral springs, surrounded by lush rainforest. It offers a variety of pools with different temperatures, waterfalls, and even a swim-up bar.On the other hand, Baldi Hot Springs features a whopping 25 thermal water pools, slides, and a kid-friendly area with shallow pools and water games. Both options provide an unforgettable experience for the whole family to enjoy.Ideal Relaxation ActivitiesFor our family, the hot springs in Costa Rica offer the perfect opportunity to relax and unwind, as well as enjoy quality time together. The benefits of relaxation are undeniable, and what better way to experience it than in the soothing waters of these natural hot springs?Here are some of the best relaxation spots in Costa Rica:Tabacon Hot Springs: Nestled at the base of the Arenal Volcano, Tabacon offers a luxurious and tranquil setting with a variety of pools and cascading waterfalls.Baldi Hot Springs: Located near La Fortuna, Baldi boasts a network of thermal pools of varying temperatures, providing a rejuvenating experience for the whole family.Ecotermales Hot Springs: This hidden gem in Arenal offers a more intimate and peaceful setting, perfect for those seeking a quieter relaxation experience.After indulging in the hot springs, it's time to explore the educational and cultural experiences that Costa Rica has to offer.Educational and Cultural ExperiencesWe thoroughly enjoyed the immersive cultural experience of the Chocolate Tour in Costa Rica. This educational tour allowed us to learn about the history and production of chocolate in the country. We got to see the entire process, from the cacao bean to the delicious chocolate bar. The tour guide was knowledgeable and engaging, making the experience fun for both kids and adults. We even had the opportunity to make our own chocolate treats, which was a highlight for the whole family.Another cultural immersion experience that we highly recommend is a visit to the Museo de los Niños, or Children's Museum. This interactive museum is designed specifically for kids, with exhibits that encourage learning through play. From science experiments to art workshops, there's something for everyone. We spent hours exploring the various exhibits, and the kids were fascinated by the hands-on activities. It was a great way to learn about Costa Rican culture while having fun.In addition to the educational tours, we also enjoyed the opportunity to observe and interact with wildlife at the Wildlife Rescue Center and Curi Cancha Reserve. These experiences allowed us to learn about the importance of conservation and the efforts being made to protect the country's diverse flora and fauna. The kids were thrilled to see sloths, monkeys, and colorful birds up close, and it sparked their interest in environmental issues.As we move on to explore the beaches and coastal attractions of Costa Rica, we look forward to the opportunity to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the country.Beaches and Coastal AttractionsExploring the beaches and coastal attractions in Costa Rica offers a chance to relax and immerse ourselves in the natural beauty of the country. Costa Rica is known for its stunning beaches and diverse marine life, making it a perfect destination for families seeking a beach getaway.Here are a few highlights of the best family-friendly beaches and the opportunity to explore marine life in Tortuguero National Park:Tamarindo Beach: With its golden sands and gentle waves, Tamarindo Beach is a popular choice for families. Kids can enjoy building sandcastles, playing beach volleyball, or learning to surf. The beach is lined with restaurants and shops, offering a variety of dining options and souvenirs.Manuel Antonio Park: This nature reserve not only features beautiful beaches but also offers guided tours where families can spot monkeys, sloths, and a variety of colorful birds. Kids will be fascinated by the diverse wildlife and the opportunity to explore the tropical rainforest.Tortuguero National Park: This park is famous for its sea turtle nesting grounds, providing a unique opportunity for families to witness these incredible creatures up close. Take a guided tour to learn about the conservation efforts and the life cycle of sea turtles. Exploring the marine life in Tortuguero National Park is a truly unforgettable experience.Costa Rica's beaches and coastal attractions offer something for everyone in the family. Whether you prefer lounging on the beach, exploring the rich marine life, or embarking on guided nature tours, there's no shortage of activities to keep everyone entertained.Frequently Asked QuestionsAre There Any Age Restrictions or Requirements for the Ziplining Activity at Arenal Ecoglide Park?Yes, there are age restrictions and safety requirements for the ziplining activity at Arenal Ecoglide Park.To ensure the safety of all participants, there's a minimum age requirement of 8 years old. Additionally, participants must weigh between 45 and 264 pounds.The park provides all necessary safety equipment, including harnesses and helmets, and trained guides are there to assist and guide you throughout the experience.Can You Swim in the Natural Pools at Rio Celeste Waterfall?Yes, you can swim in the natural pools at Rio Celeste Waterfall. However, it's important to note that there may be swimming restrictions in place at certain times due to safety reasons or water quality concerns. It's always a good idea to check with park officials before swimming.The water at Rio Celeste is known for its beautiful blue color, which is caused by a chemical reaction between volcanic minerals and the river's water. It's a unique and memorable experience for the whole family!Are There Any Guided Tours Available for the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve?Yes, there are guided tours available for the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. These tours allow you to explore the stunning beauty of the cloud forest while being accompanied by knowledgeable guides who'll provide you with interesting information about the flora and fauna.It's a great way to learn and appreciate the unique ecosystem of the reserve. So if you're looking for an educational and memorable experience, a guided tour of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is definitely worth considering.How Long Does It Take to Hike to the Top of Arenal Volcano?Hiking to the top of Arenal Volcano can take around 3-4 hours, depending on your pace and fitness level. The difficulty level can vary, but it's generally considered moderate.It's best to start early in the morning to avoid the heat and have clear views of the stunning landscape.This hike offers an exciting adventure for the whole family, with opportunities to learn about the volcano's history and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.Are There Any Nearby Accommodations or Restaurants Near Cahuita National Park?Yes, there are nearby accommodations and restaurants near Cahuita National Park. There are several options for lodging, ranging from cozy bed and breakfasts to family-friendly hotels.You can also find a variety of restaurants serving delicious local cuisine, as well as international dishes. Whether you're looking for a relaxing place to stay or a tasty meal after exploring the park, you'll find plenty of options to suit your needs near Cahuita National Park.ConclusionIn conclusion, exploring Costa Rica with kids is an adventure that will create lasting memories for the whole family.Did you know that Costa Rica is home to over 5% of the world's biodiversity? This means that your children will have the opportunity to witness incredible wildlife up close and personal, fostering a love and appreciation for the natural world.So pack your bags, grab your little ones, and get ready for an unforgettable journey through the vibrant landscapes and diverse ecosystems of Costa Rica!