Do you love animals as I do? If so, here’s some interesting news you should know. Even if you don’t love animals much or not at all, you should know about this magnificent discovery back in 2015, which continues to amaze scientists.
Fossils of two giant rhinos from around 22 million years ago have been found in China. They are now considered to be the largest land mammals to have ever existed. Their height is impressive: they are taller than giraffes! Scientists have utilized the fossils to reconstruct a model of the newly-discovered, mind-blowing animals. The scientific name for the species is “Paraceratherium linxiaense.” The first name comes from their wider group of giant rhinos and the second from the region in which they were found.
In addition, it is believed that they lived around 26.5 million years ago and that they could have reached 7m to graze treetops. According to BBC News, “The team of scientists also found that the new species was closely related to giant rhinos that once lived in Pakistan, which suggested that it had travelled across Central Asia.” Gigantic mammals were thought to be common in early periods of prehistory but unfortunately many of them passed away when the climate became drier during the Oligocene period around 34 to 23 million years ago.
This has been a really mind-blowing discovery that has turned heads all around the world. There is no doubt that scientists will continue discovering new animals and information about life in the prehistoric world.
Catalina. V
Sources:
“Giant Rhino Fossils in China Show New Species Was 'Taller than Giraffe'.” BBC News, BBC, 18 June 2021, www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-57522468.
lhasco@pennlive.com, Linda Hasco |. “New Fossils of the Largest Land Mammal Ever Found, Unearthed in China - a Giant Rhino.” Pennlive, 21 June 2021, www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2021/06/new-fossils-of-the-largest-land-mammal-ever-found-unearthed-in-china-a-giant-rhino.html.
Amazing!