Prehistoric life
Fossilised pregnant Propalaeotherium remains show that the females bore a single foal at a time. One of the earliest horses, these little forest animals had four small hooves on their front feet and three on the back. They walked on the pads of their feet, like cats and dogs. There were two species, one slightly larger than the other. More than 35 beautifully preserved specimens of the two species are known from the Messel shales, and they are also found at the nearby site of Geiseltal in Germany.
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Messel miracle
Freakish conditions in an ancient lake yield evidence of horse and hedgehog ancestors.
Freakish conditions in an ancient lake yield evidence of horse and hedgehog ancestors.
Horse-eating birds
The predators of the Eocene forests are on the prowl for unwary prey.
The predators of the Eocene forests are on the prowl for unwary prey.
Forest horses
Propalaeotherium, the nervous ancestor of the horse, forages for forest food.
Propalaeotherium, the nervous ancestor of the horse, forages for forest food.
Ambulocetus ambush
Hunting practice for an aquatic mammalian predator, ancestor of the modern whale.
Hunting practice for an aquatic mammalian predator, ancestor of the modern whale.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Discover the other animals and plants that lived during the following geological time periods.
Eocene epochLearn more about the other animals and plants that also form these fossils.
Exceptional preservationPropalaeotherium was an early genus of equid endemic to Europe and Asia during the Middle Eocene.
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Herbivorous
Maternal care
Social
Adapted to running
Viviparous