Equus niobrarensis facts for kids

Equus niobrarensis (say "EE-kwus ny-oh-BRAR-en-sis"), also known as the Niobrara horse, was a type of horse that lived a long, long time ago. It is now extinct, meaning it no longer exists on Earth. This ancient horse belonged to the same group of animals, the Equus genus, that includes modern horses. Some scientists think E. niobrarensis might be the same as another extinct horse, Equus scotti.

The Niobrara horse was known for being "stout-legged." This means it had strong, thick legs. It was considered one of the "big horses" by a scientist named M. C. Winans. Its skull was also wider than that of a modern horse, Equus caballus.

Where Did the Niobrara Horse Live?

The Niobrara horse was originally from North America. It lived during the late Pleistocene epoch. This time period was from about 2.5 million to 11,700 years ago. Fossils of E. niobrarensis have been found mostly in western North America.

Discoveries in the United States

Scientists have found fossils of the Niobrara horse in different places. One important discovery was made at Dry Cave in Wisconsin. Another set of fossils was found in Skeleton Cave, located in Oregon. These fossil findings help us learn more about where these ancient horses roamed.