Rooted Fossil Tapir Tooth - Florida

This is a rooted fossil Tapir tooth from Florida. Most of these Pleistocene aged Tapir tooth that are found do not have the root still attached like this one.

Fossil Tapirs are common in the fossil record of Florida and there are six described species of prehistoric tapirs found there vs four living today (none in Florida). They are a distant relative of horses and rhinos. They featured a trunk-like nose and had a body that looks very similar to that of a pig's. They average about 6 feet long and weigh up to 700 lbs. Their general appearance has changed little in the last several million years.