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Neohipparion

Neohipparion (Greek: "new" (neos), "pony" (hipparion)) is an extinct genus of equid, from the Neogene (Miocene to Pliocene) of North America and Central America.

Distribution

Fossils of this horse have been found in Texas, Kansas, South Dakota, Montana, Nevada, Alabama, Florida, Oregon, and Mexico.

Description

This prehistoric genus of hipparionin equid grew to lengths of up to long.

Palaeoecology

Reproduction

In Florida, Neohipparion lived in a savanna environment during the dry season, but moved to a wet environment when it came time to mate. The average age of death for a newborn colt was 3.5 years, with a juvenile mortality rate of 64% during its first 2 years of existence. However, those that got past those for 2 years of life lived to be 8 years old before expiring.

Diet

δ<sup>13</sup>C values of N. trampasense from the Love Bone Bed of Florida show it had a clear preference for foraging in open habitats. δ<sup>13</sup>C values from N. eurystyle fossils found in Florida indicate that it fed almost exclusively on C<sub>4</sub> grasses, while fossils of the same species from central Mexico indicate a more varied diet that consisted of both C<sub>3</sub> and C<sub>4</sub> plants.

References