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241 / Cenozoic
Moeritherium
Moeritherium lyonsi
Tapir-sized and short-faced, it lived before proboscideans acquired the elephant's long trunk and giant body.
- Time range
- About 37–35 million years ago
- Final stage
- Late Eocene
- Geographic range
- Wetlands and floodplains · North Africa
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Moeritherium?
Moeritherium (Moeritherium lyonsi) was an extinct organism known from About 37–35 million years ago, with a range in Wetlands and floodplains · North Africa.
Life and ecology
Moeritherium was an early proboscidean relative with a low body that browsed soft wetland plants. Its upper lip was perhaps elongated, but not a modern elephant trunk.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Moeritherium disappear?
End-Eocene changes to North African waters and vegetation favored taller, more specialized proboscideans.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Moeritherium?
Fayum skulls, teeth and skeletons reveal short limbs, low head carriage and proboscidean dentition.
04 / SOURCES & FURTHER READING
Check the source record
Use the scientific name to compare taxonomy, occurrence records and the fossil record. Database coverage and classifications may differ.
05 / REVISION HISTORY
How has this record changed?
- Verified authoritative entity sources and added three responsive reconstruction sizes.
- Initial bilingual species record published.
06 / CORRECTIONS & ADDITIONS