Right, firstly, animals have already done that, twice. First were the mesonychids, then the entelodonts. The reason for this happening wasn't because hooves were better or worse, it is simply because the first big animals were hoofed herbivores/insectivores. The carnivores that rose from them simply kept the hooves that their relatives had. Another thing to note is that, yes, hooves aren't great for holding onto something, your jaws are. Animals like Mongolonyx had massive head and huge jaw muscles because their predecessors had them already. They would also have likely hunted in packs (herds?) as fossils from Mongolia are often found together. They also were not by any means primitive as was found with creodonts (sarkastodon etc.), they had relatively carnivorian sized brains. The mesonychids were actually very successful, and survived all the way up to the early to mid oligocene, while creodonts went almost entirely extinct (though the Mongolian Hyeanodontids survived till the early Pliocene).  Mongolestes, the last known mesonychid, would have been a top predator, and its genuinely not known why they went extinct, as they dominated their niches. I have noticed that many people say stuff like the claw is the perfect weapon. Yes, it is good for gripping, but plenty of animals don't need it, and many also don't use them to the extent that you would think (dogs, wolves, etc).

Right, firstly, animals have already done that, twice. First were the mesonychids, then the entelodonts. 

The reason for this happening wasn't because hooves were better or worse, it is simply because the first big animals were hoofed herbivores/insectivores. The carnivores that rose from them simply kept the hooves that their relatives had. 

Another thing to note is that, yes, hooves aren't great for holding onto something, your jaws are. Animals like the Mongolonyx had a massive head and huge jaw muscles, because their predecessors had them already. They would also have likely hunted in packs (herds?) as fossils from Mongolia are often found together. They also were not by any means primitive, as was found with creodonts (sarkastodon etc.), they had relatively carnivorian sized brains. 

The mesonychids were actually very successful and survived all the way up to the early to mid oligocene, while creodonts went almost entirely extinct (though the Mongolian Hyeanodontids survived till the early Pliocene). 

Mongolestes, the last known mesonychid, would have been a top predator, and it's genuinely not known why they went extinct, as they dominated their niches.

I have noticed that many people say stuff like the claw is the perfect weapon. Yes, it is good for gripping, but plenty of animals don't need it and many also don't use them to the extent that you would think (dogs, wolves, etc).

Right, firstly, animals have already done that, twice. first were the mesonychids, then the entelodonts. the reason for this happening wasn't because hooves were better or worse its simply because the first big animals were hoofed herbivores/insectivores. The carnivores that rose from them simply kept the hooves that their relatives had. Another thing to note is that, yes, hooves aren't great for holding onto something, your jaws are. animals like Mongolonyx had massive head, and huge jaw muscles, because the had too. They would have also likely hunted in packs (herds?) as fossils from Mongolia are often found together. They also were not by any mean primitive, as was found with creodonts (sarkastodon ect), they had relatively carnivorian sized brains. The mesonychids were actually very successful, and survived all the way up to the early to mid oligocene, while Creodonts went almost entirely extinct (though the Mongolian Hyeanodontids survived till the early Pliocene). Mongolestes, the last known mesonychid, would have been a top predator, and its genuinely not known why they went extinct, as they dominated their niches. Sorry if this post came of as angry, its just that i have seen to many people say stuff like the claw is the perfect weapon, its good for gripping yes, but plenty of animals don't need it, and many also don't use them to the extent that you would think (dogs, wolves, etc). FYI i know this was is an old post, but i had to answer, the "middle claws" are my favorite creatures. Period.

Right, firstly, animals have already done that, twice. First were the mesonychids, then the entelodonts. The reason for this happening wasn't because hooves were better or worse, it is simply because the first big animals were hoofed herbivores/insectivores. The carnivores that rose from them simply kept the hooves that their relatives had. Another thing to note is that, yes, hooves aren't great for holding onto something, your jaws are. Animals like Mongolonyx had massive head and huge jaw muscles because their predecessors had them already. They would also have likely hunted in packs (herds?) as fossils from Mongolia are often found together. They also were not by any means primitive as was found with creodonts (sarkastodon etc.), they had relatively carnivorian sized brains. The mesonychids were actually very successful, and survived all the way up to the early to mid oligocene, while creodonts went almost entirely extinct (though the Mongolian Hyeanodontids survived till the early Pliocene). Mongolestes, the last known mesonychid, would have been a top predator, and its genuinely not known why they went extinct, as they dominated their niches. I have noticed that many people say stuff like the claw is the perfect weapon. Yes, it is good for gripping, but plenty of animals don't need it, and many also don't use them to the extent that you would think (dogs, wolves, etc).