Rhynchippus

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iRhynchippus
Fossil range: Early Oligocene
Rhynchippus equinus with Pyrotherium romeroi
Rhynchippus equinus with Pyrotherium romeroi
Conservation status
Extinct (fossil)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Notoungulata
Suborder: Toxodonta
Family: Notohippidae
Genus: Rhynchippus
Species
  •  ?R. equinus
  •  ?R. pumilus

Rhynchippus is an extinct genus of mammal.

Although its teeth were highly similar to those of horses or rhinos, Rhynchippus was actually a relative of Toxodon, having developed a horse-like form through convergent evolution. The 1 m (3 ft 4 in) long creature used these to graze. Unlike its relatives Rhynchippus had no large tusks; they were the same size and shape as the incisors. Enamel on the molars allowed it to chew tough food.


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