Judith River/White River Fossils
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Mammals from White River formation

Rhinoceros 

The rhinoceros is thought to have originated in North America.  There were three families of Rhinoceros during Oligocene times: the Hyracodontidae or cursorial rhinos, the Amynodontidae or aquatic rhinos, and Rhinocerotidae or true rhinos.  Living rhinos are from the latter group only; the first two groups are extinct. 

The Hyracodontidae or Hyracodonts were small, fast, hornless animals, resembling the horses of the day.  There has been speculation that they were out-competed by the horses, leading to the former's extinction.

Rhinos are Perrisodactyls, odd toed ungulates.

Hyracodon was one of the more common "running" rhinos.

Hyrac.jpg (28642 bytes)

Skull is 6" long
hyrac_bot.jpg (16126 bytes) Upper teeth show considerable wear.

 

Family: Hyracodontidae
Formation: Brule (White River)
Epoch: Oligocene

Subhyracodon was a member of the "true" (i.e., surviving to this day) rhino family.  Note the large diastema, or gap, between the canines and molars.

sub150.jpg (30117 bytes) Skull is 16" long.
sub_jaw.jpg (12569 bytes) View of the lower jaw.

 

Family: Rhinocerotidaee
Formation: Brule (White River)
Epoch: Oligocene
 

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