Palaeotragus

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Palaeotragus
Fossil range: Miocene
Comparison of Palaeotragus with Climacoceras
Comparison of Palaeotragus with Climacoceras
Conservation status
Extinct (fossil)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Giraffidae
Genus: Palaeotragus
Species

P. primaevus
P. germaini

Palaeotragus ("Ancient Antelope") was a genus of very large, primitive giraffes from the Miocene of Africa.

Palaeotragus primaevus is the older species, being found in early to mid-Miocene strata, while Palaeotragus germaini is found in Late Miocene strata.

P. primaevus is distinguished from P. germaini by having no pair of ossicones. It was also the smaller species, being a little under 2 meters at the shoulders. P. germaini had a pair of ossicones, and in life, it would have resembled either a short-necked, 3 meter tall giraffe, or a gargantuan okapi.


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