1.4" Fossil Desmostylus (Hippo-Like Animal) Premolar - California

Fossil Desmostylus (Hippo-Like Animal) Premolar - California #241168

This is a 1.4" long, fossil premolar of Desmostylus hesperus, an extinct hippopotamus-like animal. This odd looking tooth was collected from the Miocene-aged Temblor Formation in California. It has been prepped free from the rock it was found in, with a small portion of rock left at the basal end.

Desmostylus was most likely amphibious and probably lived in the shallow waters of coastal regions. This is based on studies of the isotopes in its teeth and bones, indicating its diet was mainly aquatic freshwater plants. It was a large animal reaching sizes of about 6 feet long and 450 pounds. It had a short tail and powerful legs with four hooves. Both the creature's jaws were elongated and sported forward-facing tusks, which were elongated canines and incisors.

Artists reconstruction of Desmostylus. By Dmitry Bogdanov