Page 185 - The Dinosaur Book and Other Wonders of the Prehistoric World (DK-Smithsonian)

Gomphotherium

Moeritherium

The extra pair
of tusks in the
The enlarged lip long lower jaw
and nose formed were used for
a short trunk. ripping bark and
stripping leaves.

Paraceratherium
was the biggest
land mammal that
has ever

lived.

Paraceratherium
Palaeomastodon
The massive, pillarlike
legs supported the weight
of this colossal mammal.

This elephant ancestor
lived 35 million years ago
and had four short tusks.

these animals are known as megaherbivores— plant-eating giants have now vanished—they
Paraceratherium was 18 ft (5.5 m) tall and flourished right up until the end of the most
could reach high into the treetops like a giraffe. recent ice age about 11,500 years ago—but a
Despite their immense size, the megaherbivores few megaherbivores, like the elephants, rhinos,
were preyed upon by heavily armed hunters hippopotamuses, and giraffes, still survive in
like the saber-toothed cats. Most of these some parts of the world. 183

US_182-183_Giant_Herbivores.indd 183 10/04/18 3:35 PM