Megacerops, one
of about 40 members of the family Brontotheriidae, was the largest
land mammals of its time.
Somewhat rhino-like in appearance with a large horned face, it stood
2 meters tall at the shoulder, was 3.2 meters long and may have
weighed nearly 4 tonnes. Megacerops is distinguished by its
long cylindrical horns that extend upward in a «Y»-shape
from the nasal bones. The forehead is long and saddle shaped,
with eyes set well forward.
The body is massive and the limbs robust - adapted to carry a
considerable bulk. It was probably a browser, feeding on trees and
shrubs of the woodland.
Common in western North America, it lived near what is now Eastend SK
about 37 million years ago in a parkland type of environment along with
giant pigs and small deer-liked grazers.
Main Street, Saskatchewan (photo)
