Two Desmostylus Molars (Hippo-Like Animal) In Rock - California

This is a pair of fossil molars of Desmostylus hesperus, an extinct Hippopotamus-like animal. These odd looking teeth were collected from the Miocene aged Temblor Formation in California.

One molar is 1.1" wide and the other molar is 2.2" wide. They are still embedded in the rock they were found in which is full of fossil shells.

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

SPECIES

Desmostylus hesperus

AGE

Miocene (15.5 million years)