Hippopotamus gorgops

Taxobox
name = "Hippopotamus gorgops"
status = fossil


fossil_range = Late Miocene to Middle Pleistocene
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Artiodactyla
familia = Hippopotamidae
genus = "Hippopotamus"
species = †"H. gorgops"
binomial = †"Hippopotamus gorgops"
binomial_authority = Dietrich, 1928

"Hippopotamus gorgops" ("Gorgon-eyed river horse") is an extinct species of hippopotamus. It first appeared in Africa during the late Miocene, and eventually migrated into Europe during the early Pliocene (where its fossils were first discovered). It became extinct prior to the Ice Age.

With a length of 4.30 m (14 ft) and a shoulder height of 2.10 m (7 ft) "H. gorgops" was much larger than its living relative, "H. amphibius". Another feature setting it apart from "H. amphibius" were its eyes. Modern hippos have eyes placed high on the skull, but "H. gorgops" took things a step further and had what could be described as short eye stalks, making it even easier for the creature to see its surroundings while (almost) fully under water.

References

* Petronio, C. (1995): Note on the taxonomy of Pleistocene hippopotamuses. "Ibex" 3: 53-55. [http://www.mountainecology.org/IBEX3/pdf/Art_Capitolo1/note_taxonomy_pleistocene.pdf PDF fulltext]