Rhynchippus
| Rhynchippus Temporal range: early Oligocene | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Rhynchippus equinus (on land) with Pyrotherium romeroi (in water) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | †Notoungulata |
| Family: | †Notohippidae |
| Genus: | †Rhynchippus Ameghino, 1897 |
| Species | |
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Rhynchippus is an extinct genus of notoungulate mammal.
Rhynchippus was about 1 metre (3.3 ft) in length and weighted up to 120 kg, with a deep body and three clawed toes on each foot.[1] Although its teeth were extremely similar to those of horses or rhinos, Rhynchippus was actually a relative of Toxodon, having developed teeth suitable for grazing through convergent evolution. 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.[2]