Chalicotheres a group of odd-toed ungulates (Perissodactyls) that lived
from the Eocene epoch to the Pliocene epoch, between about 40 million
and 2 million years ago. They are related to the extinct
Brontotheres,
as well as horses, rhinoceroses and tapirs.
The distinctive feature of Chalicotheres is that their hind limbs
were considerably shorter than their front limbs. The front limbs
were also equipped with claws. As a result of this, it is believe
that Chalicotheres walked with most of the weight on their hind limbs,
but probably also used the knuckles on their front limbs to support
themselves (a similar posture to modern gorillas).
Chalicotheres were herbivores (plant-eaters), and it was once thought
they they may have used the claws on their front limbs to dig for
roots and tubers. The very limited amount of wear on their claws and teeth
does not however support the digging hypothesis, and so it is now thought
more likely that Chalicotheres were browsers who used their claws to
help strip foliage from trees.
The larges Chalicotheres were about the size of a horse, and
Chalicotheres are sometimes described as being like "horses with claws" - but
while there is some superficial resemblance, such a description can actually
be misleading. As already noted, Chalicotheres posture was very different
from that of horses, and additionally Chalicotheres were much more heavily
built than horses.
Although mainstream scientists generally believe that Chalicotheres
are extinct, there is perhaps a small possibility that some may survive.
Some cryptozoologists (people who searched for rumored animals whose existence
is uncertain), believe that an animal that supposedly lives in Kenya,
and which is usually known as the "Nandi Bear", may actually be a surviving
Chalicothere. Some descriptions of the Nandi Bear, seem to contain features
that match Chalicothere features
(although the Nandi Bear is usually described as a carnivore) - of course,
the existence of the Nandi Bear at all, let alone whether it is a surviving Chalicothere,
currently remains unproven.
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