Dorcatherium

/dɔrkəˈθɪriəm/ noun

Definition

A genus of extinct small deer-like mammals that lived during the Miocene and Pliocene epochs in Europe and Asia.

Etymology

From Greek 'dorkas' (gazelle) combined with 'therion' (wild animal); a scientific binomial name created by paleontologists to classify fossil remains.

Kelly Says

This animal was so small and delicate—about the size of a rabbit—that its fossilized bones are incredibly rare; the name itself tells you what scientists thought it resembled.

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