Anthracothere

/ænˈθrækəˌθɪr/ noun

Definition

An extinct mammal from coal-bearing deposits, especially referring to an early even-toed ungulate.

Etymology

From anthracis (Greek 'coal') + therion (Greek 'beast'). This paleontological term names animals found in coal-bearing geological formations.

Kelly Says

Anthracotheres were weird pig-like mammals that roamed ancient forests that later became coal—finding their fossils in coal beds tells us what lived in those Eocene swamps 50 million years ago.

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