Coryphodon

/kəˈrɪfədɒn/ noun

Definition

An extinct mammal from the early Eocene epoch that resembled a modern hippopotamus or tapir, with a stocky body and short legs.

Etymology

From Greek koryphē meaning 'head' and odous (genitive odontos) meaning 'tooth,' referring to distinctive dental features. Named by paleontologists in the 19th century.

Kelly Says

Coryphodons were weird-looking creatures that survived the mass extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs, thriving in the warm Eocene world—they're basically the goofy uncles of early mammal evolution!

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