1.2" Fossil Oreodont (Merycoidodon) Jaw Section - South Dakota

Fossil Oreodont (Merycoidodon) Jaw Section - South Dakota #295210

This is a 1.2" long partial maxilla (upper jaw) of Merycoidodon, an oreodont from the Oligocene-aged White River Formation of Souix County, South Dakota. It holds two intact teeth.

Oreodonts are an extinct mammal most closely related to camels and pigs. They have no close relatives living today. They were herbivorous, with short faces and fang-like canine teeth. About the size of a sheep, they roamed the plains of North America in huge numbers during the Oligocene period.

Artist's reconstruction of Merycoidodon. By Nobu Tamura (http://spinops.blogspot.com) Creative Commons License

SPECIES

Merycoidodon sp.

AGE

Oligocene (30 - 33 Million Years)