Synthetoceras | |
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Skull of S. tricoronatus | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Artiodactyla |
Family: | † Protoceratidae |
Genus: | †
Synthetoceras Stirton, 1932 |
Type species | |
†Synthetoceras tricornatus Stirton, 1932
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Species | |
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Synthetoceras tricornatus is a large, extinct protoceratid, endemic to North America ( Nebraska ) during the Late Miocene, 10.3—5.3 Ma, existing for approximately 5 million years. Fossils have been recovered from Nebraska and Texas. [1]
With a length of 2 m (6.6 ft) and a mass of 150–200 kg (330–440 lb), Synthetoceras was the largest member of its family. [2] [3] It was also the last, and had what is considered to be the protoceratids' strangest set of horns. [4] The two horns above its eyes looked fairly normal and similar to those of many modern horned mammals, but on its snout it had a bizarre, long horn with a forked tip that gave it a Y-shape. Only males had this strange horn, and they probably used it in territorial fights. [2]