Canthumeryx
Canthumeryx sirtensis
Resurrected on:
7 sep. 2020
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.
Size comparison
Distribution map
