toxodon profile
Richard Lydekker 1849 1915 English naturalist, geologist writer book London Geological Survey India vertebrate paleontology northern India Kashmir fossil mammals reptiles bird Natural History Museum Manual Palaeontology Henry Alleyne Nicholson Wild Animals of Burma Malay Tibetr biogeography biogeographical boundary Indonesia Lydekker's Line Wallacea Australia-New Guinea Royal Natural History London Frederick Warne & co 1893-94 six volume Toxodon is an extint mammal of the late Pliocene and pleistocene epochs about milion to 1,800 years ago. It was indigenous to South America. The toxodon was about 9 feet long and about 5 feet high at the shoulder and resembled a short rhinoceros. Because of the position of its nasal openings, it was believed that the toxodon had a well developed snout. It had a massive skeleton which suggests that it supported as huge musculator body. It had short stout legs with three functional toes. The central toe was used mainly to endure the stress from the large amount of weight the toxodon excerted. The Toxodon was probably the most common large hoofed mammal in South America at the time of its existence. The toxodon greatly resembles the hippopotame. Although, the relationship between these two animals is very distant. Charles Darwin was one of the first to collect toxodon fossils in South America. Since Darwin discovered that the fossils of similar mammals of South America were different than those in Europe, he invoked many debates about the evolution and natural selection of animals. The vertebrae of the toxodon were equiped with high apophyse which most likely supported the massive weight and muscles as well as its powerful head. The toxodon had broad jaws which were filled with bow shaped teeth and incisors. These teeth allowed the toxodon to tear through and bite off the plants and leaves. It was initially believe to be an amphibious animal.
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