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Deinotherium facts for kids

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Deinotherium
Temporal range: Middle Miocene – Early Pleistocene
Dinotherium.jpg
Illustration of Deinotherium
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Mammalia
Order:
Proboscidea
Suborder:
†Deinotheroidea
Family:
†Deinotheriidae
Genus:
†Deinotherium

Kaup, 1829

Deinotherium was a large proboscidean related to modern elephants. Their shorted trunk and downward curving tusks are notable.

There were several species of Deinotherium that inhabited parts of Africa, Asia and Europe. The Deinotherium was larger than today’s elephants.

The way Deinotherium used its curious tusks has been much debated. It may have rooted in soil for underground plant parts like roots and tubers, pulled down branches to snap them and reach leaves, or stripped soft bark from tree trunks. Deinotherium fossils have been uncovered at several of the African sites where remains of prehistoric hominid relatives of modern humans have also been found.

Images for kids

  • Deinotherium skeletals

    Skeletons of D. "thraceiensis", two D. giganteum specimens, and D. proavum (left to right)

  • Em - Deinotherium sp. - 2

    Teeth of Deinotherium

  • Naturhistorisches Museum Mainz- (2)-Deinotherium Giganteum

    Deinotherium giganteum model at the Natural History Museum Mainz

  • Deinotherium giganteum skull

    Skull of D. giganteum

  • Hauerelefant-Deinotherium

    Mount of ancestor, Prodeinotherium

  • Dinotherium

    Historic illustration of Deinotherium by Heinrich Harder

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Deinotherium para niños

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Deinotherium Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.