| Pliohippus Temporal range: Mid Miocene |
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| Pliohippus pernix skull | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Perissodactyla |
| Family: | Equidae |
| Genus: | Pliohippus Marsh, 1874 |
Pliohippus is an extinct genus of Equidae, the "horse family". Pliohippus arose in the middle Miocene, around 12 million years ago, probably from Calippus. It was similar in appearance to Equus, but had two long extra toes on both sides of the hoof, externally barely visible as callused stubs. The long and slim limbs of Pliohippus reveal a quick-footed steppe animal.
Until recently, because of its many anatomical similarities, Pliohippus was believed to be the ancestor of the present-day horse and its relatives in Equus. Although Pliohippus clearly is an equid and thus related to Equus, its skull had deep facial fossae, a feature not found in any member of Equus. Additionally, its teeth were strongly curved, unlike the very straight teeth of modern horses. Consequently, it is unlikely to be the ancestor of the modern horse; instead, it is likely to be the ancestor of Astrohippus.[1] The Pliohippus was approximately six feet high, and weighed one thousand pounds. Its diet was plants. Its habitat was the plains of North America.
Fossils of the Pliphippus have been found at many late Miocene localities in Coarado, the Great Plains of the USA (Nebraska and the Dakotas) and also Canada. The Pliohippus has been found beside the Neohipparion.
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