Shrub-ox
Encyclopedia
The shrub-ox (= Preptoceras, Aftonius) is an extinct genus and species of Bovidae native to North America
. It is a close relative of the musk-ox.
Euceratherium was one of the first bovids to enter North America. It appeared on this continent during the early Pleistocene, long before the first bison
arrived from Eurasia. It went extinct about 11,500 years ago.
Late Pleistocene shrub-ox remains are known from fossil finds spanning from northern California
to central Mexico. In the East they were distributed at least into Illinois
.
Euceratherium was massively built and in size between a modern American bison
and a musk ox
. On the basis of preserved dung pellets, it has been established that they were browsers with a diet of trees and shrubs.
They seem to have preferred hilly landscapes.
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. It is a close relative of the musk-ox.
Euceratherium was one of the first bovids to enter North America. It appeared on this continent during the early Pleistocene, long before the first bison
Bison
Members of the genus Bison are large, even-toed ungulates within the subfamily Bovinae. Two extant and four extinct species are recognized...
arrived from Eurasia. It went extinct about 11,500 years ago.
Late Pleistocene shrub-ox remains are known from fossil finds spanning from northern California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
to central Mexico. In the East they were distributed at least into Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
.
Euceratherium was massively built and in size between a modern American bison
American Bison
The American bison , also commonly known as the American buffalo, is a North American species of bison that once roamed the grasslands of North America in massive herds...
and a musk ox
Musk Ox
The muskox is an Arctic mammal of the family Bovidae, noted for its thick coat and for the strong odor emitted by males, from which its name derives. This musky odor is used to attract females during mating season...
. On the basis of preserved dung pellets, it has been established that they were browsers with a diet of trees and shrubs.
They seem to have preferred hilly landscapes.