Arsinoitherium zitteli is an extinct species of placental mammal that lived during the late Eocene to early Oligocene period, between 36 and 30 million years ago, in what is now North Africa, especially in the region that currently corresponds to Egypt. This animal belongs to the Arsinoitheriidae family and is characterized by its imposing size and distinctive horns.
The body of Arsinoitherium zitteli was robust and massive, with a length that reached approximately 3 meters and a height at the withers of around 1.8 meters. Its weight is estimated at about 2 tons, making it one of the largest terrestrial mammals of its time. The most distinctive feature of Arsinoitherium are the two large, conical, hollow horns that emerge from its skull, just above the nose, which could reach more than a meter in length. In addition, it had a pair of smaller horns located behind these, on the top of the head.
These horns were probably used in dominance displays, combat between males, or defense against predators. However, despite its formidable appearance, Arsinoitherium was a herbivore. Its diet consisted of leaves, shoots, and other soft plants, suggesting that it lived in habitats near bodies of water, such as swamps or wet forests, where vegetation was abundant.
The skull of Arsinoitherium zitteli was large and elongated, with a powerful jaw and teeth adapted to crushing hard plant matter. Its limbs were strong and relatively short, with wide feet that provided stability on soft ground. Despite its size and heavy appearance, Arsinoitherium is thought to have been a relatively agile animal within its natural habitat.
The fossil remains of Arsinoitherium zitteli were discovered in the Fayum region of Egypt, and their study has provided valuable insight into the fauna of Africa during the Eocene and Oligocene. Its name honors the ancient Egyptian queen Arsinoe, in whose honor the region where the fossils were found was named.
Approximate measurements of Arsinoitherium:
The body of Arsinoitherium zitteli was robust and massive, with a length that reached approximately 3 meters and a height at the withers of around 1.8 meters. Its weight is estimated at about 2 tons, making it one of the largest terrestrial mammals of its time. The most distinctive feature of Arsinoitherium are the two large, conical, hollow horns that emerge from its skull, just above the nose, which could reach more than a meter in length. In addition, it had a pair of smaller horns located behind these, on the top of the head.
These horns were probably used in dominance displays, combat between males, or defense against predators. However, despite its formidable appearance, Arsinoitherium was a herbivore. Its diet consisted of leaves, shoots, and other soft plants, suggesting that it lived in habitats near bodies of water, such as swamps or wet forests, where vegetation was abundant.
The skull of Arsinoitherium zitteli was large and elongated, with a powerful jaw and teeth adapted to crushing hard plant matter. Its limbs were strong and relatively short, with wide feet that provided stability on soft ground. Despite its size and heavy appearance, Arsinoitherium is thought to have been a relatively agile animal within its natural habitat.
The fossil remains of Arsinoitherium zitteli were discovered in the Fayum region of Egypt, and their study has provided valuable insight into the fauna of Africa during the Eocene and Oligocene. Its name honors the ancient Egyptian queen Arsinoe, in whose honor the region where the fossils were found was named.
Approximate measurements of Arsinoitherium:
- Scale 1:35 Complete
- Length 85 mm
- Height 54 mm
- Width 27 mm
- Snout-tail base length 85 mm
- Scale 1:20 Complete
- Length 149 mm
- Height 94 mm
- Width 47 mm
- Snout-tail base length 150 mm
