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Prosantorhinus is an extinct genus of rhinocerotid that lived during the Early and Middle Miocene subepochs. The small teleoceratine rhinocerotid was found in Western Europe and Asia.[2]
| Prosantorhinus Temporal range: Miocene | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Perissodactyla |
| Family: | Rhinocerotidae |
| Subfamily: | †Aceratheriinae |
| Genus: | †Prosantorhinus Heissig, 1973[1] |
| Species | |
|
Prosantorhinus douvillei | |
Prosantorhinus was a similarly sized animal to the Sumatran rhinoceros, it stood at around 4'3" (130 cm) at the shoulder and was about 9'6" (290cm) long, weight estimates however are considerably bigger due to its considerably deeper chest.[3] The body plan of Prosantorhinus is stubbier than that of other rhinocerotids, and its brachyodont molars would seem to suggest Prosantorhinus led a semiaquatic life, similar to a hippopotamus, possibly feeding on fresh water plants.[4][5] The tooth eruption sequence of P. germanicus was identical to that of the present-day black rhinoceros, suggesting that it was a slow-growing and long-lived mammal.[6] The rugged texture at the tip of its snout could suggest the existence of one, maybe two, small horns; however it has been traditionally reconstructed with a fleshy bump.[7]
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