Aepycamelus
Extinct high camel of Miocene North America.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Aepycamelus is an extinct genus of camelids that lived during the Miocene epoch, approximately 20.6 to 4.9 million years ago, existing for about 15.7 million years. Its name derives from Homeric Greek, meaning 'high camel,' and it was formerly referred to the genus Alticamelus. This prairie dweller of North America was a highly specialized animal with a small head, long neck, and long, stilt-like legs, walking on its toes and possessing cushioned pads like those of modern camels.
- born
- 20.6 million years ago
- died
- 4.9 million years ago
- field
- Paleontology
- nationality
- North America (Colorado, Montana, Florida, California)
- known_for
- Giraffe-like camelid with long neck and legs, browsing high in trees
Lore & Background
Aepycamelus was a prairie dweller of North America, with fossils distributed widely from Montana to Florida to California. Its head was relatively small compared with its body, its neck was long due to giraffe-like lengthening of the cervical vertebrae, and its legs were long and stilt-like, with the elbow and knee joints on the same level. The top of its head was about 3 meters above the ground. Unlike earlier camelids, it walked on its toes and possessed cushioned pads like those of modern camels.
Reader's Guide
Aepycamelus is significant as a highly specialized camelid that inhabited dry grasslands with groups of trees during the Miocene. Its strange body structure suggests it moved singly or in small groups, like today's giraffes, and browsed high up in the trees, having no competitors in that niche. It survived a relatively long time, through most of the Miocene epoch, and died out prior to the start of the Pliocene, possibly due to climatic changes. The taxonomy of Aepycamelus involved earlier confusion: it was formerly referred to Alticamelus, which was later recognized as a nomen dubium, leading to the erection of Aepycamelus for species previously assigned to Alticamelus. Its fossils provide insight into the evolution of camelids and the ecosystems of Miocene North America.
Did You Know?
- Aepycamelus lived from 20.6 to 4.9 million years ago, a span of about 15.7 million years.
- Its name comes from Homeric Greek meaning 'high camel'; in Latin it is Alticamelus.
- Aepycamelus walked on its toes and had cushioned pads like modern camels.
- The top of its head was about 3 meters (9.8 feet) above the ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Aepycamelus?
Aepycamelus was an extinct genus of camelid that roamed North America during the Miocene epoch. Its name comes from Homeric Greek and translates to 'high camel,' a nod to its towering build.
What did Aepycamelus look like?
This prairie-dwelling mammal had a small head, an elongated neck, and very long, stilt-like legs. It walked on its toes and had cushioned foot pads similar to those found on modern camels.
Where did Aepycamelus live?
Fossils of Aepycamelus have been recovered from several North American states, including Colorado, Montana, Florida, and California. It was a prairie dweller that specialized in browsing high in trees.
How long did Aepycamelus survive?
The genus persisted from roughly 20.6 million years ago until about 4.9 million years ago, spanning approximately 15.7 million years. It went extinct before the close of the Miocene epoch.
Why is Aepycamelus notable among extinct mammals?
It is best known for its giraffe-like proportions, with a long neck and legs adapted for reaching high vegetation. It was formerly classified under the genus Alticamelus before being recognized as its own distinct lineage.
More in Extinct Cenozoic Mammals 1-24
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