| Elasmotherium | |
|---|---|
| |
| Biological information | |
| Time period : | Pleistocene epoch |
| Lifestyle : | Herbivore |
| In the series | |
| Brought back : | 1 male. |
| Appearances : | A Mammoth Undertaking and Supercroc |
Elasmotherium is an extinct genus of animal indigenous to Eurasia during the Pleistocene epochs until it appears about 29,000 years ago. It is famous for its large horn on its head. The woolly rhino was the fifth species brought back to the park.
Facts
The best known species, E. sibiricum was the size of an African giraffe and is thought to have borne a large, thick horn on its forehead which was used for defense, attracting mates, driving away predators, sweeping snow from the grass in winter, and digging for water and plant roots. Like all rhinos, Elasmotherium were herbivorous. Unlike any others, its high-crowned molars were ever-growing. Its legs were longer than those of other rhinos and were designed for running, giving it a zebra-like gait.
The known specimens of E. sibiricum reach up to 5 m in body length with shoulder heights over 2 m (6 ft 7 in) while E. caucasicum reaches at least 5 m in body length with an estimated mass of 6 tonnes based on isolated molars that significantly exceed those known from the Siberian species. Both species were among the largest in the family rhino family, comparable in size to the woolly mammoth and larger than the contemporary woolly rhinoceros Coelodonta. The feet were unguligrade, the front larger than the rear, with 4 digits at the front and 3 at the rear.[1]
The Elasmotherium trying to break through the gate. (A Mammoth Undertaking)
In Prehistoric Park
A Mammoth Undertaking
In this episode, Nigel traveled back 150,000 years ago to collect plant samples for Martha. Suddenly, a large male Elasmotherium was seen investigating Nigel Marven's snowmobile. Nigel saw him and kept still and quiet. At first, because of its horrible eyesight, the Elasmotherium doesn't notice Nigel. However, the woolly rhino picked up Nigel's scent and came further. Nigel backed off but was stopped by a bull woolly mammoth in musth. The Elasmotherium was picked up the bull Woolly Mammoth's scent, and he backed off. Nigel just managed to escape.
Later, Nigel went to retrieve his food bag, and noticed the Elasmotherium was near it. This was his one chance to rescue the Elasmotherium from extinction. He used himself as bait and tempted to lure the Elasmotherium to charge at him. He got the Elasmotherium through the time portal into the park. Nigel told the staff at the park to close the gates to trap the Elasmotherium which then tried to break down the gate with his horn. The large male Elasmotherium was the park's newest creature. He was then kept in the creature enclosure until his new enclosure was created. He was then moved there. He was able to settle in peacefully. However, he would not be seen again until episode six.
Supercroc
The Elasmotherium charging at the flock of Ornithomimus (Supercroc)
The Elasmotherium makes his next appearance in this episode. Being large animals, rhinos like the Elasmotherium tend to get their enclosures cleaned quicker than other animals. Head keeper Bob Arthur had the unfortunate job of keeping the Elasmotherium's field free of dung. This was however interrupted as the park's Phorusrhacos had escaped.
During the Mass Break-Out, the woolly rhino was one of the animals that escaped. Bob tries to round up him and some of the Ornithomimus during the chaos. However, he got spooked by Matilda the T. rex, and charged through the park's flock of Ornithomimus. When the break-out was over, the Elasmotherium was returned to his enclosure where he lives peacefully.
Elasmotherium in it's home Elasmotherium Paddock