Arsinoitherium

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iArsinoitherium
Arsinoitherium zitteli
Conservation status
Extinct (fossil)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Superorder: Paenungulata Order: Embrithopoda Family: Arsinoitheriidae Genus: Arsinoitherium

Arsinoitherium is an extinct mammal genus of the superorder Paenungulata. These species are rhinoceros-like herbivores that lived during the late Eocene and the beginning of the Oligocene, from 36 to 30 million years ago in areas of tropical rainforest. They were about seven feet tall and sported a pair of enormous conical horns on their snouts. They had as predators the creodonts. The name derives from Arsinoë, an Egyptian queen whose palace was near the site of discovery. While this was the only site where Arsinoitherium fossils were found, its earlier relatives lived in south-eastern Europe and Mongolia.

Its two large horns were hollow, suggesting that they were used to make loud mating sounds as well as for fighting among male arsinoitheres. This mammal could not straighten its legs, perhaps suggesting it was better adapted for wadding or swimming in water.

An Arsinoithere was discovered in Ethiopian highlands in 2003. The fossils date back to around 27 million years ago. The height at the shoulder is around 7 feet.

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Arsinoitherium zitteli