Elasmotherium sibiricum, commonly known as the Siberian unicorn rhinoceros, was a species of rhinoceros that lived during the Pleistocene, approximately 2.6 million to 29,000 years ago. Below is an overview of this fascinating creature:
Morphology: The most distinctive feature of Elasmotherium sibiricum was its unique large horn on its forehead, which has earned it the nickname "unicorn rhinoceros." Although it is called a unicorn, its horn was not pointed like that of some ceratopsian dinosaurs, but rather thick and conical. In addition to its horn, it had a stocky build with short, strong legs.
Size: The size of Elasmotherium sibiricum varied, but in general, it is estimated that it had a shoulder height of around 2 meters and a total length of approximately 3.5 meters. It was considerably larger than modern rhinos.
Weight: Elasmotherium sibiricum is estimated to have weighed several tons, making this species a member of the Pleistocene megafauna.
Distribution: Fossils of Elasmotherium sibiricum have been found in several regions of Eurasia, from Russia to parts of China and Mongolia. This wide distribution suggests that it inhabited a variety of habitats, from steppes to forested areas.
Diet: Elasmotherium sibiricum is believed to have been herbivorous, feeding mainly on low plants and shrubs. Its mouth was adapted to graze on the vegetation available in its environment.
Extinction: Elasmotherium sibiricum became extinct at the end of the Pleistocene, along with many other species of megafauna. The exact reasons for its extinction are not completely clear, but factors such as climate changes and environmental pressures could have contributed to the disappearance of this species.
Approximate measurements of Elasmotherium:
Morphology: The most distinctive feature of Elasmotherium sibiricum was its unique large horn on its forehead, which has earned it the nickname "unicorn rhinoceros." Although it is called a unicorn, its horn was not pointed like that of some ceratopsian dinosaurs, but rather thick and conical. In addition to its horn, it had a stocky build with short, strong legs.
Size: The size of Elasmotherium sibiricum varied, but in general, it is estimated that it had a shoulder height of around 2 meters and a total length of approximately 3.5 meters. It was considerably larger than modern rhinos.
Weight: Elasmotherium sibiricum is estimated to have weighed several tons, making this species a member of the Pleistocene megafauna.
Distribution: Fossils of Elasmotherium sibiricum have been found in several regions of Eurasia, from Russia to parts of China and Mongolia. This wide distribution suggests that it inhabited a variety of habitats, from steppes to forested areas.
Diet: Elasmotherium sibiricum is believed to have been herbivorous, feeding mainly on low plants and shrubs. Its mouth was adapted to graze on the vegetation available in its environment.
Extinction: Elasmotherium sibiricum became extinct at the end of the Pleistocene, along with many other species of megafauna. The exact reasons for its extinction are not completely clear, but factors such as climate changes and environmental pressures could have contributed to the disappearance of this species.
Approximate measurements of Elasmotherium:
- Scale 1:35
- Length 98mm
- Height 55mm
- Width 35 mm
- Snout-tail base length 110 mm
- Scale 1:20
- Length 171mm
- Height 96mm
- Width 61 mm
- Snout-tail base length 192 mm
