4.7" Brontothere Fossil Vertebrae Bone Eocene Age Badlands S Dakota Titanothere COA

Location: White River Badlands, South Dakota

Weight: 1 Pound 9.3 Ounces

Dimensions: 4.7 Inches Long, 2.9 Inches Wide, 2.8 Inches Thick (Matrix)

Eocene Age, 56 to 33.9 million years Old

Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

The item pictured is the one you will receive. 

Brontothere is an ancient mammal that roamed the area of Badlands National Park about 56-33.9 million years ago. Badlands brontotheres are also known as Megacerops coloradensis in scientific literature. Sometimes called “titanothere,” its name means “thunder beast,” referring to how a traveling herd of massive brontotheres may have sounded long ago, thundering through ancient environments.

Brontotheres from the Badlands were among the largest mammals of their time, reaching heights of approximately 8 feet and lengths of up to 16 feet, comparable to a modern large rhinoceros or small elephant. However, these giants began their evolutionary journey as dog-sized animals during the early Eocene epoch. Over the span of 20 million years, brontotheres gradually evolved, growing larger with each successive generation as they adapted to their environment. By the late Eocene, they had reached the massive proportions preserved in the Badlands fossil record, showcasing a remarkable story of growth, adaptation, and diversification in prehistoric North America.

Brontotheres are most recognized for their blunt paired horns that projected from the nose, a feature that became increasingly prominent over time. These horns initially appeared as small nubs in early species but eventually grew into massive structures, sometimes exceeding 3.3 feet (1 meter) in length in adult Badlands brontotheres. Horn size generally varied between sexes, with males developing larger horns than females. While these impressive horns often evoke modern rhinoceroses, brontotheres are only distantly related to today’s rhinos. The Badlands fossil record also includes species like Subhyracodon, which are true ancestors of modern rhinoceroses, providing valuable insight into the evolutionary history of the rhino family and the diversity of prehistoric North American ecosystems.