Long-necked Camel

Aepycamelus giraffinus

Resurrected on:

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Genus information

Aepycamelus is an extinct genus of camel that lived in North America during the Miocene epoch. A typical feature of these camels were their long necks and legs. Therefore, they are also called "giraffe camels". They were highly specialized feeders, using their long necks and legs to feed on leaves from higher trees. Their behaviour is believed to resemble that of modern day giraffes, living in small herds. During its time, it had no competition for food.

Family:

Distribution:

Epoch:

Camelidae

North America

Miocene

Species information

The genus of Aepycamelus contains many species of which A. giraffinus is the type species. Fossils have been found in the USA from the Miocene epoch. It could grow up to 2.3 meters at the shoulders and their heads would be 3 meters above the ground. The genus went extinct at the end of the Miocene epoch, probably due to climatic changes.

Species:

Paleontologist:

Distribution:

Epoch:

Aepycamelus giraffinus

Matthew & Cook, 1909

North America

Miocene

Length:

Height:

Weight:

3.2 m

2.3 m

1.000 kg

Reference:

MacDonald, J. R. (1956). A new Clarendonian mammalian fauna from the Truckee Formation of western Nevada. Journal of Paleontology, 186-202.