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Hippopotamidae
Hippopotamuses
1
Number of resurrected species:
Family
Order
Class
Hippopotamidae
Artiodactyla
Mammalia
Description
The Hippopotamidae are still extant nowadays with two remaining species: the Common and Dwarf Hippopotamus. They are solely found on the African continent, but they once roamed in many parts of Eurasia too. The Hippopotamidae were bound to aquatic habitats, as shown by their typical built of being stout and short-legged.
Distribution & Fossil evidence
The Hippopotamidae probably evolved from the Anthracotheriidae; a group of semi-aquatic animals that resembled skinny hippopotamuses. Fossils have been found widespread over Africa and several locations in Eurasia.
Species
There are about a dozen species known within the Hippopotamidae family. Many of these species resembled modern day hippopotamuses.
Included genera
Hippopotamus
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