Scientists have discovered a new species of rhinoceros in the Arctic, showing that rhinos once lived much farther north than we thought.
A rare fossil find
The discovery was announced yesterday by researchers from the Canadian Museum of Nature.
The fossil, found in Canada’s High Arctic, is about 23 million years old. It is the northernmost rhino ever discovered, and about 75% of the skeleton was preserved, which is very rare.
The species has been named Epiatheracerium itjilik, and the study was published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution.
What was it like?
This rhino was smaller and lighter than many modern rhinos, about the size of an Indian rhino, but without a horn.
Scientists say it lived in a forested area with lakes, showing that the Arctic was much warmer at the time.
Rhinos in the past
Today, there are only five species of rhinos, found in Africa and Asia.
But millions of years ago, there were more than 50 species, and they lived across Europe and North America.
How did it get there?
Researchers believe these rhinos moved from Europe to North America using a land bridge through Greenland.
Earlier studies suggested this route disappeared around 56 million years ago, but this new research shows it may have been used much later.
Why it matters
Scientists studied 57 different rhino species to understand how they spread across continents.
This discovery helps scientists better understand Earth’s past, including how climates have changed and how animals moved across the world over millions of years.
Photo: Artist’s recreation of Epiatheracerium itjilik in its forested lake habitat, Devon Island, Early Miocene, 23 million years ago. The plants and animals shown, including a rodent, rabbit and the transitional seal Puijila darwini, are all based on fossilized remains found at the site. Photo Credits: Julius Csotonyi
