Name:
Eobasileus (Greek for "dawn emperor"); pronounced EE-oh-bass-ih-LAY-us
Habitat:
Plains of North America
Historical Epoch:
Middle-Late Eocene (40-35 million years ago)
Size and Weight:
About 12 feet long and one ton
Diet:
Plants
Distinguishing Characteristics:
Rhino-like body; three matched horns on skull; short tusks
About Eobasileus:
For all intents and purposes, Eobasileus can be considered a slightly smaller version of the more famous Uintatherium, yet another prehistoric megafauna mammal that roamed the plains of Eocene North America. Like Uintatherium, Eobasileus cut a vaguely rhino-shaped profile, and had an exceptionally knobby head sporting three matched pairs of blunt horns as well as short tusks. It's still unclear how these "uintatheres" of 40 million years ago were related to modern herbivores; all we can say for sure, and leave it at that, is that they were very large ungulates (hooved mammals).
