UNUSUAL TITANOTHERE HUMERUS. Titanothere (Brontothere). Eocene, White River Badlands. South Dakota, USA ...

Description

UNUSUAL TITANOTHERE HUMERUS
Titanothere (Brontothere)
Eocene, White River Badlands
South Dakota, USA

This exotic-looking humerus bone is from an extinct Oligocene beast called a Titanothere, also known as a Brontothere. These gigantic creatures belonged to a group of large-hoofed mammals which fed on soft vegetation and traveled the Badlands in herds during the Eocene Epoch some 40 to 50 million years ago. Although they may have looked like furry rhinoceroses, Titanotheres were more closely related to horses reaching elephant-size heights over 7 feet (2.5 meters). In addition to being massive in size, Titanotheres featured bony protuberances on their skulls, which may have been used for defense or to attract mates. In fact, fossils of the colossal mammals were so adundant in the Badlands region of South Dakota that early paleontologists referred to certain layers as "Titanothere Beds," which are now considered to be part of the Chadron Formation. This impressive humerus is a robust 20 inches (50.8 cm) long and a stout 10 inches (25.4 cm) wide. It features a varnish coating used to stabilize the bone which displays excellent form out to both ends. Cracks indicate that the humerus was reassembled from associated bone fragments which is a very common occurrence with larger fossilized bones. This is a great example of Titanothere anatomy.
Overall Measurements: 20 x 10 inches (50.8 x 25.4 cm)
Offered at no reserve.

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