Perissodactyla - horses, rhinoceroses, tapirs
There are about 18 species of large mammals in this order. They have an odd number of toes on their feet. The middle toe of the species in this order is larger than the other toes and is the toe that bears the weight of the animal when it walks. Some species, like tapirs and rhinoceroses, have three toes. Other species, like horses, have evolved over time and now only have one toe or hoof! The species in this order are herbivores.
At one time, millions and millions of years ago, there were at least 14 famlies in this order and many, many more species. They were found all over the world. The largest mammal to ever live, the
Indricotherium, was a member of this order. The Indricotherium was 26 feet high at the shoulders and 39 feet long! The Indricotherium was found in Asia. Most of the species in this order began to dissappear during the
late Miocene (10-5
million years ago) as animals in the Artiodactyla order grew and began competing with them for food. Today, there are only three familes left in this order.
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