Where was the First Fossil of Hyracotherium Found?

Where Was the First Fossil of Hyracotherium Found?

Hyracotherium fossil was discovered in England. Richard Owen is the same Paleontologist who coined the term Dinosaurian; he named the fossils as or Hyrax Like beast in 1841. The second fossil of the genus was found in America in 1876 and at that time it was thought to be a new genus but later on was proved to be Hyracotherium.

Hyracotherium were present during Eocene period, about 50 million years ago in Northern hemisphere (in Asia, Europe, and North America).

Hyracotherium are thought to be the ancestors to the Horse family Hyracotherium had 4 toes on the front foot, and 3 toes on the hind foot. The discovered fossils indicated their short stature. They averaged 2 feet in length only and 8 to 9 inches in height with a rather long skul having 44 teeth. Hyracotherium are believed to be Herbivores eating grass fruits and other vegetation around. Scientists believe them not only to be the ancestors of modern horse but also the other members of Equidae family. They are also thought to be the ancestors of the largest land mammals titanotheres and the Baluchitherium (Beast of Baluchistan)

There was a common misconception about the size of Hyracotherium. They were thought to be the size of fox terrier which is misconception. They were actually half the size of the fox terrier.