Canthumeryx

Canthumeryx sirtensis

Resurrected on:

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Genus information

Canthumeryx is a primitive ancestor of the giraffe that lived in Africa and Asia during the Miocene epoch. It is believed that after Canthumeryx, the family tree of giraffids split into two branches: one which eventually resulted in the modern day Giraffe and the other in the Okapi. Canthumeryx resembled a deer with already a longer neck compared to other relatives. It had small ossicones on its forehead which pointed outwards.

Family:

Distribution:

Epoch:

Giraffidae

Africa and Asia

Miocene

Species information

Canthumeryx sirtensis is the only known species within its genus and fossils have been found in Kenya (Africa) and Saudi Arabia (Middle East). It was probably a browser, feeding on leaves from bushes. It probably lived in semi open savannas.

Species:

Paleontologist:

Distribution:

Epoch:

Canthumeryx sirtensis

Hamilton, 1973

Africa and Asia

Miocene

Length:

Height:

Weight:

1.3 m

90 cm

100 kg

Reference:

Mitchell, G., & Skinner, J. D. (2003). On the origin, evolution and phylogeny of giraffes Giraffa camelopardalis. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa, 58(1), 51-73.