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Prehistoric fauna
- Thread starter Serjeant Grumbles
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So, that wraps up my coverage of the Mesozoic era. Now let us turn to the Cenozoic era, the current era, the age of mammals.
Some of the earlier prehistoric ungulates, many of which do not belong to any extant mammalian order:
Uintatherium, of the middle Eocone epoch (52-37 mya). Although rhinoceros-like in size and appearance, Uintatherium was not related to any modern ungulates, belonging to the extinct order Dinocerata, whereas rhinos belong to the order Perissodactyla (ungulates with odd-numbered toes).
Arsinoitherium, 3 meters (9.8 ft) long, late Eocene to early Oligocene epochs (36-30 mya). Belonged to the order Embrithopoda, which was more closely related to elephants than to perissodactyls.
Brontotherium, 2.5 meters (8.2 ft) tall at the shoulders, late Eocene. It was a perissodactyl, but not a true rhino, classified in its eponymous family, Brontotheriidae.
Chalicotherium, an odd-looking creature with body-plan of a gorilla and arms like a sloth, late Oligocene to early Pliocene (16-7.75 mya). A perissodactyl of the family Chalicotheriidae.
Some of the earlier prehistoric ungulates, many of which do not belong to any extant mammalian order:
Uintatherium, of the middle Eocone epoch (52-37 mya). Although rhinoceros-like in size and appearance, Uintatherium was not related to any modern ungulates, belonging to the extinct order Dinocerata, whereas rhinos belong to the order Perissodactyla (ungulates with odd-numbered toes).
Arsinoitherium, 3 meters (9.8 ft) long, late Eocene to early Oligocene epochs (36-30 mya). Belonged to the order Embrithopoda, which was more closely related to elephants than to perissodactyls.
Brontotherium, 2.5 meters (8.2 ft) tall at the shoulders, late Eocene. It was a perissodactyl, but not a true rhino, classified in its eponymous family, Brontotheriidae.
Chalicotherium, an odd-looking creature with body-plan of a gorilla and arms like a sloth, late Oligocene to early Pliocene (16-7.75 mya). A perissodactyl of the family Chalicotheriidae.
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Mesonyx, a wolf-like ungulate predator of the extinct order Mesonychia, middle-late Eocene (~51 mya).
Andrewsarchus, Eocene epoch (45-36 mya), known only from a skull. Estimated to be 11 feet long and 6 feet tall at the shoulder, weighing around 1000 kg (2,200 lbs). It is not known for certain whether it was a scavenger or an active predator. Although formerly classified in the order Mesonychia, scientists now believe it is more likely it was a member of the order Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates).
Entelodon, 3m long and weighing about 1000kg, an artiodactyl the family Entelodontidae, early Oligocene (~23 mya). Entelodonts, sometimes known as Hell Pigs, were a family of pig-like omnivores, strongly favouring meat.
Anthracotherium, an artiodactyl, Oligocene to mid Miocene epochs. Anthracotherium is close relative of modern hippos, and also believe to be close to the ancestors of whales.
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Now, on the evolution of whales. Although once believed to be related to the mesonychids, it is now believed that cetaceans are closely related to artiodactyls, and they are together group under the clade Cetartiodactyla. Among the ancient artiodactyls, Indohyus, a small deer-like creature the size of a raccoon, is a close cousin to the cetaceans.
Pakicetus, Eocene epoch (55.8-40 mya), of the family Pakicetidae, the earliest cetaceans, although they were terrestrial - though possibly semi-aquatic.
Ambulocetus, the 'walking whale,' early Eocene (49-50 mya). This 3m long amphibious creature is believed to have hunted much like a crocodile.
Rodhocetus, about ten feet long, middle Eocene, more aquatic than the earlier Ambulocetus.
Basilosaurus, a fully aquatic animal, much more whale-like, late Eocene (40-34 mya). Averaging about 18 meters (60 ft) long, it was probably the largest animal of its time. The -saurus suffix was given from the earlier belief that it was reptile.
Pakicetus, Eocene epoch (55.8-40 mya), of the family Pakicetidae, the earliest cetaceans, although they were terrestrial - though possibly semi-aquatic.
Ambulocetus, the 'walking whale,' early Eocene (49-50 mya). This 3m long amphibious creature is believed to have hunted much like a crocodile.
Rodhocetus, about ten feet long, middle Eocene, more aquatic than the earlier Ambulocetus.
Basilosaurus, a fully aquatic animal, much more whale-like, late Eocene (40-34 mya). Averaging about 18 meters (60 ft) long, it was probably the largest animal of its time. The -saurus suffix was given from the earlier belief that it was reptile.
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Indricotherium, aka Baluchitherium aka Paraceratherium (as it's debated whether they are synonyms or seperate genera), a close rhinoceros relative, was the largest land mammal to ever live, at about 5.5 meters (18 feet) tall at the shoulder, 9 meters (30 feet) long, weighing around 20 tonnes. With their fairly long necks, they filled a similar niche as giraffes, living in from the late Eocene to early Miocene (37-23 mya).
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Of the family Rhinocerotidae:
Teleoceras, which had shorter legs than modern rhinos and built much like a hippo - and probably having similar habits, lived during the Miocene and early Pliocene epoch.
Coelodonta antiquitatis, the Wooly Rhinoceros, averaging 3.7 meters (12 ft) in length and 2-3 tons in weight, living in the steppes of northern Eurasia in the late Pleistocene (surviving as recently as 8000 B.C.E.).
Elasmotherium, the Steppe Rhinoceros, 4.5 meters (15 ft) long, weighing around 4000 kg (7800 lbs), lived in Eurasia from the late Pliocene-Pleistocene (2.6 mya-50,000 ya).
Teleoceras, which had shorter legs than modern rhinos and built much like a hippo - and probably having similar habits, lived during the Miocene and early Pliocene epoch.
Coelodonta antiquitatis, the Wooly Rhinoceros, averaging 3.7 meters (12 ft) in length and 2-3 tons in weight, living in the steppes of northern Eurasia in the late Pleistocene (surviving as recently as 8000 B.C.E.).
Elasmotherium, the Steppe Rhinoceros, 4.5 meters (15 ft) long, weighing around 4000 kg (7800 lbs), lived in Eurasia from the late Pliocene-Pleistocene (2.6 mya-50,000 ya).
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Some Artiodacyls (even-toed ungulates):
Synthetoceras, inhabiting North American in the late Miocene (13.6-5.3 mya), was an artiodactyl but not a true deer, belonging to the extinct family Protoceratidae. At 2 meters (6 ft 8 inches) long, it was the largest member of its family.
Sivatherium, about 2.2 meters (7 ft 4 inches) tall at the shoulder, found throughout Africa and India in the Pliocene to Holocene (5 mya to as recently as 8000 years ago). Although it resembled a moose, it was a member of the family Giraffidae, and the "antlers" are in fact ossicones like what are found on giraffes and okapis.
Megaloceros giganteus, called the Giant Deer or Irish Elk, although it was not exclusively Irish and not closely related to either the American elk (wapiti) or the moose, but it was a true deer - of the family Cervidae, inhabiting Eurasia from the middle Pleistocene to early Holocene (400,000-7,700 years ago). It was about 2.1 meters (6.9 ft) at the shoulder and possessed the largest antlers of any cervid, spanning up to 12 feet across. Some of the other Megaloceros species are shown here.
Cervalces scotti, the Stag-moose, inhabited North America in the Pleistocene epoch (extinct at around 11,500 years ago), a close relative of the moose and the largest cervid ever.
Synthetoceras, inhabiting North American in the late Miocene (13.6-5.3 mya), was an artiodactyl but not a true deer, belonging to the extinct family Protoceratidae. At 2 meters (6 ft 8 inches) long, it was the largest member of its family.
Sivatherium, about 2.2 meters (7 ft 4 inches) tall at the shoulder, found throughout Africa and India in the Pliocene to Holocene (5 mya to as recently as 8000 years ago). Although it resembled a moose, it was a member of the family Giraffidae, and the "antlers" are in fact ossicones like what are found on giraffes and okapis.
Megaloceros giganteus, called the Giant Deer or Irish Elk, although it was not exclusively Irish and not closely related to either the American elk (wapiti) or the moose, but it was a true deer - of the family Cervidae, inhabiting Eurasia from the middle Pleistocene to early Holocene (400,000-7,700 years ago). It was about 2.1 meters (6.9 ft) at the shoulder and possessed the largest antlers of any cervid, spanning up to 12 feet across. Some of the other Megaloceros species are shown here.
Cervalces scotti, the Stag-moose, inhabited North America in the Pleistocene epoch (extinct at around 11,500 years ago), a close relative of the moose and the largest cervid ever.
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EffigyForgotten
New Metal Member
When I was a young boy I was fucking obsessed with this kind of shit, have like 20 encyclopedias of dinosaurs and relative creatures in my closest.
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Some more artiodacyls:
Aepycamelus, a giraffe-like camelid that roamed the North American prairie during the Miocene (21 to 5 mya). Stood about 3 meters tall and weighed about 800-1600 lbs.
Camelops lived in western North America from the late Pliocene until the end of the Pleistocene (~10,000 years ago). Seven feet at the shoulder, and weighing up to 1,200 kg (2,600 lbs.), it larger than the modern Bactrian camel.
Bison antiquus, the direct ancestor of the American bison, was 15-25% larger than its modern descendent, reaching up to 2.27 m (7.5 feet) at the shoulder and a weight of 1588 kg (3500 lbs.). Lived until about 10,000 years ago.
Bison latifrons, the Giant Bison, lived in North America during the Pleistocene until about 20-30 thousand years ago. The largest of all bison, it reached a shoulder height of 2.5 m (8.2 feet) and a weight of over 2000 kg (4,400 lbs.).
Aepycamelus, a giraffe-like camelid that roamed the North American prairie during the Miocene (21 to 5 mya). Stood about 3 meters tall and weighed about 800-1600 lbs.
Camelops lived in western North America from the late Pliocene until the end of the Pleistocene (~10,000 years ago). Seven feet at the shoulder, and weighing up to 1,200 kg (2,600 lbs.), it larger than the modern Bactrian camel.
Bison antiquus, the direct ancestor of the American bison, was 15-25% larger than its modern descendent, reaching up to 2.27 m (7.5 feet) at the shoulder and a weight of 1588 kg (3500 lbs.). Lived until about 10,000 years ago.
Bison latifrons, the Giant Bison, lived in North America during the Pleistocene until about 20-30 thousand years ago. The largest of all bison, it reached a shoulder height of 2.5 m (8.2 feet) and a weight of over 2000 kg (4,400 lbs.).
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viewerfromnihil
Vein-Marbled Tower
Bison antiquus, the direct ancestor of the American bison, was 15-25% larger than its modern descendent, reaching up to 2.27 m (7.5 feet) at the shoulder and a weight of 1588 kg (3500 lbs.). Lived until about 10,000 years ago.
Bison latifrons, the Giant Bison, lived in North America during the Pleistocene until about 20-30 thousand years ago. The largest of all bison, it reached a shoulder height of 2.5 m (8.2 feet) and a weight of over 2000 kg (4,400 lbs.).
Wow, Native Americans were in North America during this time period. Crazy. Perhaps a contribution to extinction?
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Since prehistoric man hunted mammoths to extinction with Stone Age weapons, it's fully conceivable that they could likewise hunt these bison.
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Some creatures from the order Proboscidea:
Moeritherium, an early proboscidean of the late Eocene (37-35), 70cm (2.3 ft) high and 3 meters (9.8 ft) long, making it small by the standards of elephants, mammoths, mastodons, and the like. Also lacked a true trunk, though it seems to have had a prehensile mouth like a tapir.
Gomphotherium, of the family Gomphotheriidae, about 3 meters (9.8 ft) high, and having four tusks. Inhabited North America in the early Miocene and later emigrated to Asia, Europe, and Africa as well, surviving to the early Pliocene (13.7-3.6 mya).
Platybeledon, another gomphothere, of the Miocene (15-4 mya).
Deinotherium, the Hoe Tusker, with its characteristic downward slanting tusks, inhabiting parts of Africa, Asia, and Europe from the middle Miocene to early Pleistocene. Belonging to the family Deinotheriidae, Deinotherium was the third largest land mammal ever known to have existed, between 3.5-4.5 meters (12-15 feet) tall at the shoulders and weighing 5-10 tonnes (5.5-11 tons), although some large males were up to 5 meters (16 feet) tall and 14 tonnes (15.4 tons) in mass.
Moeritherium, an early proboscidean of the late Eocene (37-35), 70cm (2.3 ft) high and 3 meters (9.8 ft) long, making it small by the standards of elephants, mammoths, mastodons, and the like. Also lacked a true trunk, though it seems to have had a prehensile mouth like a tapir.
Gomphotherium, of the family Gomphotheriidae, about 3 meters (9.8 ft) high, and having four tusks. Inhabited North America in the early Miocene and later emigrated to Asia, Europe, and Africa as well, surviving to the early Pliocene (13.7-3.6 mya).
Platybeledon, another gomphothere, of the Miocene (15-4 mya).
Deinotherium, the Hoe Tusker, with its characteristic downward slanting tusks, inhabiting parts of Africa, Asia, and Europe from the middle Miocene to early Pleistocene. Belonging to the family Deinotheriidae, Deinotherium was the third largest land mammal ever known to have existed, between 3.5-4.5 meters (12-15 feet) tall at the shoulders and weighing 5-10 tonnes (5.5-11 tons), although some large males were up to 5 meters (16 feet) tall and 14 tonnes (15.4 tons) in mass.
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AllShallFall
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More Proboscidea:
Mammut americanum, the American Mastodon. Contrary to popular belief, mastodons are particularly closely related to mammoths. They were in their own family, Mammutidae, whereas mammoths were in the same family as modern elephants, Elephantidae.
Mammuthus imperator, the Imperial Mammoth, inhabited North America from the Pliocene to Pleistocene (4.9 mya -11,000 years ago). The second-largest species of mammoth, reaching up to 4.9 meters (16 ft) high
Mammuthus columbi, the Columbian Mammoth, inhabiting North and Central America during the late Pleistocene until 12,500 years ago. 4 meters (13 ft) tall, weighing up to 10 tonnes (11 short tons), it possessed some of the largest tusks known, with one specimen being 4.9 meters (16 ft) long.
Mammuthus trogontherii, the Steppe Mammoth, inhabited most of northern Eurasia during the Pleistocene from 600-370 thousand years ago. Reaching heights of 4m (13 ft.) or more at the shoulders, it was one of the largest, if not the largest, probiscideans ever.
Mammut americanum, the American Mastodon. Contrary to popular belief, mastodons are particularly closely related to mammoths. They were in their own family, Mammutidae, whereas mammoths were in the same family as modern elephants, Elephantidae.
Mammuthus imperator, the Imperial Mammoth, inhabited North America from the Pliocene to Pleistocene (4.9 mya -11,000 years ago). The second-largest species of mammoth, reaching up to 4.9 meters (16 ft) high
Mammuthus columbi, the Columbian Mammoth, inhabiting North and Central America during the late Pleistocene until 12,500 years ago. 4 meters (13 ft) tall, weighing up to 10 tonnes (11 short tons), it possessed some of the largest tusks known, with one specimen being 4.9 meters (16 ft) long.
Mammuthus trogontherii, the Steppe Mammoth, inhabited most of northern Eurasia during the Pleistocene from 600-370 thousand years ago. Reaching heights of 4m (13 ft.) or more at the shoulders, it was one of the largest, if not the largest, probiscideans ever.
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A variety of probiscideans (both extant and extinct, but mostly extinct), lined up for size comparison:
http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2012/333/1/7/proboscideans_by_sameerprehistorica-d5mj52p.jpg
From left to right:
Moeritherium, Pygmy Mammoth, Platybelodon, Gomphotherium, Palaeoloxodon, Stegotetrabelodon, Woolly Mammoth, Mastodon, Asian Elephant, African Elephant, Deinotherium, Columbian Mammoth, Steppe Mammoth
http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2012/333/1/7/proboscideans_by_sameerprehistorica-d5mj52p.jpg
From left to right:
Moeritherium, Pygmy Mammoth, Platybelodon, Gomphotherium, Palaeoloxodon, Stegotetrabelodon, Woolly Mammoth, Mastodon, Asian Elephant, African Elephant, Deinotherium, Columbian Mammoth, Steppe Mammoth
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Creodonta was a sister group to Carnivora that lived from the Paleocene to the Miocene epochs. Creodonts occupied much the same niches that would later be taken over by Carnivora. It is believed that creodonts were supplanted by modern carnivorans because they had smaller brains and less efficient locomotion; nevertheless, they were apex predators in their time.
Hyaenodon, living from the late Eocene to early Miocene (42-15.9 mya), ranged across all continents save South America, Australia, and Antarctica. Size varied greatly depending on the species, with H. microdon and H. mustelinus at only 5kg (11 lbs.), H. horridus (the largest North American species) at 40kg (88 lbs.), and H. gigas much larger at 500kg (1,100 lbs.), about ten feet in length.
Megistotherium, a hyaenodontid of the early Miocene (23 mya), was one the largest terrestrial carnivores to exist, at about 1.5m high at the shoulders, 3.5 meters long, estimated to weigh from 500-880 kg (1,100-1,935 lbs.).
Patriofelis, of the middle Eocene (45 mya), was about 1.2-1.8 m (3.9-5.9 ft.) long, not including the tail, and 40-90kg, about the size of a modern panther.
Hyaenodon, living from the late Eocene to early Miocene (42-15.9 mya), ranged across all continents save South America, Australia, and Antarctica. Size varied greatly depending on the species, with H. microdon and H. mustelinus at only 5kg (11 lbs.), H. horridus (the largest North American species) at 40kg (88 lbs.), and H. gigas much larger at 500kg (1,100 lbs.), about ten feet in length.
Megistotherium, a hyaenodontid of the early Miocene (23 mya), was one the largest terrestrial carnivores to exist, at about 1.5m high at the shoulders, 3.5 meters long, estimated to weigh from 500-880 kg (1,100-1,935 lbs.).
Patriofelis, of the middle Eocene (45 mya), was about 1.2-1.8 m (3.9-5.9 ft.) long, not including the tail, and 40-90kg, about the size of a modern panther.
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Miacis was a genus of weasel-like carnivores, ancestral to the order Carnivora, living from the late Paleocene to late Eocene. Carnivorans soon diverged into two groups: Caniformia and Feliformia; dog-like and cat-like carnivores, respectively.
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Feliformia:
Eusmilus was a saber-toothed "pseudo-cat" of the family Nimravidae rather than Felidae. About the height of a leopard, but with a longer body, they could reach 2.5 m (8 ft.) long. They existed during the Late Eocene to Late Oligocene (37-28 mya).
Barbourofelis, another false saber-toothed cat, this time belonging to the family Barbourofelidae. Living in the late Miocene (13.6-5.2 mya), they were about the size of a lion, with B. fricki weighing up to 380 kg (829 lbs.). Also, they possessed unusual protrusions of their lower jaw, making them look like Jay Leno.
Proailurus, the likely ancestor of all felids, living in the Late Oligocene-Miocene (~25 mya). Weighing about 20 lbs., they were most likely arboreal, at least partially.
Eusmilus was a saber-toothed "pseudo-cat" of the family Nimravidae rather than Felidae. About the height of a leopard, but with a longer body, they could reach 2.5 m (8 ft.) long. They existed during the Late Eocene to Late Oligocene (37-28 mya).
Barbourofelis, another false saber-toothed cat, this time belonging to the family Barbourofelidae. Living in the late Miocene (13.6-5.2 mya), they were about the size of a lion, with B. fricki weighing up to 380 kg (829 lbs.). Also, they possessed unusual protrusions of their lower jaw, making them look like Jay Leno.
Proailurus, the likely ancestor of all felids, living in the Late Oligocene-Miocene (~25 mya). Weighing about 20 lbs., they were most likely arboreal, at least partially.
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