Ekorus ekakeran

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article does not cite any references or sources. (November 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Please help improve this article or section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (January 2007)

Ekorus Fossil range: Late Miocene (6 MYA)
Ekorus ekakeran and Viverra leakeyi
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Mustelidae Genus: †Ekorus Species: †E. ekakeran
Binomial name
Ekorus ekakeran

Ekorus ekakeran is a large extinct weasel that inhabited late Miocene Kenya. Standing 60 centimeters tall at the shoulders, its build was not at all weasel-like. Modern-day weasels have short legs and can only achieve short bursts of speed. The legs of Ekorus are built like those of leopards. It appears that before Africa's big cats ruled the savannas, the giant weasel Ekorus chased down its prey, such as the three-toed horse Eurygnathohippus and the large pig Nyanzachoerus. The reason for this evolution must have to do with the Great Rift Valley. Before the rift opened, Kenya was more forested. Eventually as moisture was drawn from the forests by the highlands, the forests opened up into grasslands. The swifter creatures built for open terrain prospered while the slower forest species perished.

Fossils of large Miocene weasels have also been discovered in North America and Asia.