
Strange and/or Massive
Here are some of the largest and oddest beasts of the group.
(Mammals with a * are featured on the BBC's "Walking with Beasts")
Indricotherium transsouralicum*Height: 16ft (4.7m) Lived: 30 million years ago - 25 million years ago Also known as Baluchitherium or Paraceratherium. Indricotheres were the largest mammals to ever walk the earth. Depending on the source, these overgrown rhinos were thought to weigh between 11 and 20 tons. Links: [ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ]
Chalicotherium*Height: 9ft (2.75m) Lived: 45 million years ago - 3.5 million years ago Strangest of the bunch, Chalicotheres have the shortened face of a horse, the neck of an ox, the arms and shoulders of a massive ape, the front claws of an anteater and short rear legs to support its massive bulk. Links: [ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ]
Gigantopithecus blackiHeight: 10ft (3m) Lived: 700,000 years ago - 125,000 years ago Largely based on fossil teeth found throughout China, Gigantopithecus was estimated to be over 10 feet tall. Also possibly the source of many stories about Yetis, Sasquatch and other massive "Ape-Men". Links: [ 1, 2, 3, 4]
Elasmotherium sibiricusHeight: 6.5ft (2m) Lived: 1 million years ago - 10,000 years ago Sporting a horn well over 6 feet long, Elasmotherium may have been a part of the inspiration for Unicorns. Of course beauty doesn't seem to be factored here (much like the story of manatees inspiring the mermaid myth.) Links: [ 1, 2 ]
Doedicurus (Glyptodon)*Height: 5ft (1.5m) Lived: 1.5 million years ago - 12,000 years ago Part Armadillo and part Ankylosaurus, this small volkswagen of a creature roamed over most of South America before the last Ice Age. Links: [ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ]
Uintatherium robustumHeight: 5ft (1.5m) Lived: 50 million years ago - 35 million years ago With a hatrack for a skull, this large herbivore is distinctive, yet still not very well understood. Uintatherium had tusks, two pairs of knobs and a set of horns protruding from its head, with a rather large but nondescript body to support it. Links: [ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 ]
Odobenocetops peruvianus, or Walrus-WhaleLength: 7ft (2.1m) Lived: 5 million years ago - 1 million years ago An odd whale, with assymetric tusks. Slightly larger than a modern dolphin, Odobenecetops developed much like a walrus - equipped to feed on sea bottoms and rocks. Links: [ 1, 2, 3 ] |
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