Palaeothere facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Palaeothere Temporal range: 55–28Ma PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N Early Eocene to early Oligocene

Palaeotherium curtum skull
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Perissodactyla
Suborder:	Hippomorpha
Family:	†Palaeotheriidae
Genera
Palaeotherium Hyracotherium Anchilophus Lophiotherium Pachynolophus Propachynolophus

Palaeotheres were an extinct group of plant-eating mammals. They were related to animals like tapirs and rhinoceros. Scientists think they might even be ancestors of modern horses!

These ancient animals lived in Europe and Asia. They roamed these lands a very long time ago. This was between 55 and 28 million years ago. This time period is known as the Eocene and Oligocene epochs.

What Were Palaeotheres Like?

Palaeotheres were generally small to medium-sized animals. They lived in thick, dense forests. Their diet mainly consisted of soft leaves and young shoots. They also enjoyed berries. Sometimes, they would eat other plant bits they found on the forest floor.

Palaeothere Family Members

Here are some of the different types of Palaeotheres that scientists have discovered:

Palaeotherium
Hyracotherium
Anchilophus
Lophiotherium
Propachynolophus

Images for kids

Plagiolophus annectens jaw

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Palaeothere Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.