Uintatherium ancep

 

Uintatherium ("Beast of the Uinta Mountains") is an extinct genus of herbivorous mammal that lived during the Eocene epoch. Two species are currently recognized: U. anceps from the United States during the Early to Middle Eocene (56–38 million years ago) and U. insperatus of Middle to Late Eocene (48–34 million years ago) China.[1]

 

Its most unusual feature was the skull, which is both large and strongly built, but simultaneously flat and concave: this feature is rare and, apart from some brontotheres, not regularly characteristic of any other known mammal. Its cranial cavity was exceptionally small due to the walls of the cranium being exceedingly thick. The weight of the skull was mitigated by numerous sinuses permeating the walls of the cranium, like those in an elephant's skull.

 

The skulls of the males bore six prominent knob-like ossicones that grew from the frontal region of the skull at 5–25 cm (2.0–9.8 in) high.[2] The function of these structures is unknown. They may have been of use in defense and/or sexual display.

"Uintatherium", 2019.

Ink, felt-marker, pencil and natural pigment on paper. 25 x 32,5 cm.

L1250093 Dessin_

700,00 €

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