From a hot fossil-finding spot in Belgium, Scientists described in greater detail an ancient carnivorous mammal, confirmed to be one of the earliest ancestors of present-day carnivores of lions, tigers, and bears, Red Orbit reported.

"It is one of the oldest carnivorous mammals which is related to present-day carnivores," study researcher Floréal Solé told LiveScience.

Previous to the latest fossil discovery and its analysis, scientists only had samples of the mammal's molars. With 280 teeth and a few ankle bones, Belgium scientists were able to broaden Dormaalocyon latouri's physical description (resembling something between a "little panther" and a "squirrel," according to Live Science).

"Its description allows better understanding of the origination, variability and ecology of the earliest carnivoraforms," Solé said.

The mammal lived among the trees in tropical Belgium during the Eocene periods (56 to 34 million years ago), according to Live Science. It's believed that carnivores, or carnivoraforms as carnivorous mammals are known, first came into being a period earlier, during the Palocene era (66 to 56 million years ago), according to Live Science. Because of relatively few fossil evidence (other forms of life, such as herbivores, were much more present during these time periods), scientists aren't positive of Dormaalocyon's origins or the exact origins of carnivoraforms in general. Using their now deeper understanding of this mini-panther like squirrel, however, they were able to make surer assumptions.

"Our study shows that the carnivoraforms were very diversified at the earliest Eocene, which allows hypothesizing that they were probably already diversified during the latest Paleocene," Solé said.

At just two pounds, the "carnivore" wasn't very imposing and feasted on smaller living creatures (no word on various news sources what exactly it ate).

"It wasn't frightening. It wasn't dreadful," said Solé.