Fantastic Beasts - We Found 'Em!
Apart from some of the animals that we know today, when the mammals rose, some of the oddest creatures in the history of Earth appeared.
Hooved carnivores?
The world’s biggest carnivorous terrestrial mammal, Andrewsarchus, was neither a tiger nor a bear. It was a cloven-hooved creature like pigs and cows. A human being would have reached its shoulders, and the huge predator weighed almost 1000kg. Andrewsarchus ruled Mongolia 45 million years ago, consuming anything within reach (even bears).
Jumpy longnose!
The mammals only rarely moved about on two legs, but the small Leptictidium made an attempt. According to scientists, it may have been able to use its hind legs to both jump and run. Apart from a pair of long legs, the Leptictidium also had a small trunk that it may have used to poke about for insects and worms in the ground.
Six-horned beast
Scientists have long discussed where the Uintatherium belongs on the evolutionary tree of mammals. The odd, 2000kg animal has no less than six horns on its head and a set of impressive canine teeth. Horns and teeth were probably used to attract mates or defend itself against enemies. Today, scientists believe that the Uintatherium is related to horses and rhinos.