Hapalodectes (literally "soft biter"; ἁπαλός, hapalos = "soft, tender", δῆκτῆς, dêktês = "biter") is an extinct genus of otter-like mesonychids from the Late Paleocene to Early Eocene some 55 million years ago. Although the first fossils were found in Eocene strata of Wyoming, the genus originated in Mongolia, as the oldest species is H. dux, which was found in Late Paleocene strata in the Naran Bulak Formation.