3.5" Running Rhino Hyracodon Nebrascensis Fossil Jaw Teeth SD Badlands COA Stand
Location: South Dakota, White River Formation, Pennington County
Weight: 6.5 Ounces (With Metal Stand)
Dimensions: 4.3 Inches Long, 3.6 Inches Wide, 0.2 Inches Thick (With Metal Stand)
Fossil Dimensions: 3.5 Inches Long, 2 Inches Wide, 0.9 Inches Thick
Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Comes with a Custom Metal Stand.
The item pictured is the one you will receive.
35-23 Million Years Old Oligocene Period
Running Rhino Hyracodon Nebrascensis species of rhinoceros that lived during the Oligocene epoch, approximately 34 to 23 million years ago. It is known for its long legs and relatively small size, which suggests that it was adapted for running. The species is primarily known from fossils found in Nebraska and South Dakota, but it may have also inhabited other parts of North America.
Hyracodon Nebrascensis was first described by paleontologist Joseph Leidy in 1856 from a partial skull and skeletal fragments. Since then, additional specimens have been discovered and studied, offering valuable insights into its anatomy, behavior, and evolutionary background. Current research shows that Hyracodon Nebrascensis belongs to the Rhinocerotidae family, which includes all modern rhinoceroses as well as many extinct species.
The long legs of Hyracodon Nebrascensis are one of its most distinctive features. These legs would have enabled the animal to run quickly over open terrain, possibly to escape predators or chase down prey. Other adaptations for running include a relatively narrow body and elongated metapodials (bones in the feet), which would have provided greater leverage for running. However, Hyracodon Nebrascensis likely still had some ability to browse on vegetation, as suggested by its teeth and jaw structure.
Overall, Hyracodon Nebrascensis provides important insights into the evolution of rhinoceroses and their adaptations to different ecological niches. Its unique morphology suggests that it was a specialized runner, adapted for life on the open plains of ancient North America.
