Embrithopoda

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iEmbrithopoda
Arsinoitherium zitteli
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia (unranked) Paenungulata Order: Embrithopoda
Families
Arsinoitheriidae Phenacolophidae

Embrithopoda is an extinct order of mammals which lived during the Oligocene.

Embrithopods were rhino-like in appearance, except that their horns were made of bone instead of hair, and not all embrithopods possessed them. Despite their appearance, they were more closely related to elephants than rhinos.

The Embrithopoda are seen as close relatives of the Hyracoidea and may be the ancestors of Proboscidea. They are currently believed to be part of the cohort Afrotheria.

Fossils of Embrithopoda such as Arsinoitherium have been found in Egypt, Mongolia, Turkey and Romania, even though until the 1970's only Arsinoitherium itself was known, appearing isolated in the fossil record.