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Product Description
From Late Pleistocene deposits of the Suwannee River, this magnificent tapir molar tooth with intact root is a prize for any Pleistocene fossil collection. This remarkable example is from Tapirus veroensis, a species of tapir that lived in Florida in the Pleistocene. Enamel is PERFECT with stunning coloration of both blues and reds and orange. Root is complete and contrasts beautifully with its dark brown hue from river mineralization. Specimen is as found in its original sandstone river bottom matrix.
SEE MORE LAND MAMMAL FOSSILS
HISTORY
The Tapiridae family are members of the order of Perissodactyla or 'Odd-toed Ungulates'. Ungulates are hoofed mammals that represent the main group of large herbivorous animals alive today. Tapirs first appeared about 40 million years ago during the Oligocene Period. They are still alive today in Central and northern South America as well as Southeast Asia although they are considered endangered in all regions. They are bizarre creatures with heavy pig-like bodies, large odd-toed hoofed feet and long, flexible snouts. They have the ability to move and grasp small branches and leaves with their trunks. Today, tapirs remain unchanged in appearance since they first evolved millions of years ago, which is quite unusual.
In Florida, the earliest tapir remains date back 22 million years ago to the Early Miocene. Only in the late Miocene though, do they become abundant. At least four species of tapirs lived in Florida but only one existed at any one time. Tapirus simpsoni was the first species to emerge with Tapirus veroensis being the last, surviving right up to the mass extinction marking the end of the Pleistocene. Another Pleistocene species, Tapirus haysii, was larger than all other prehistoric species.