Arsinoitherium

Arsinoitherium was a prehistoric mammal that lived during the Late Eocene to Early Oligocene, roughly 36 to 27 million years ago. Despite its resemblance to modern rhinoceroses, it was not closely related to them but instead shared ancestry with elephants, manatees, and hyraxes as part of the extinct order Embrithopoda. These animals inhabited the tropical rainforests and mangrove fringes of North Africa, with fossils also discovered in regions like Ethiopia, southeastern Europe, and Turkey.

This hefty herbivore measured about 1.75 meters (5.7 feet) at the shoulders, stretched 3 meters (9.8 feet) long, and weighed approximately 2.5 tons, making it comparable in size to today’s white rhinoceros. Its most striking feature was a pair of massive, horn-like structures on its snout, accompanied by smaller knobs above the eyes. These horns were likely covered in keratin, similar to those of modern bovids, and were present in both males and females.

Unlike speedy land animals, Arsinoitherium had column-like legs and a robust skeleton, suggesting it was adapted for moving through swampy, soft terrain rather than running. Its forelimbs were specialised for pulling rather than swinging, a trait suitable for life in muddy or shallow aquatic environments. With a full set of 44 teeth, it was a selective browser, consuming foliage and other plant material using a distinctive chewing motion that exerted constant pressure on its teeth.

Fossils of Arsinoitherium, first found in Egypt’s Faiyum Oasis, have provided significant insights into mammalian evolution and the ecosystems of ancient Africa.

Approximately 25cm long. 

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