One of the prehistoric world's strangest looking creatures, chalicotherium walked like a gorilla, ate like a panda and had long, razor-sharp claws at the end of each forearm. However, this giant beast's only "prey" were soft shoots from trees. Its closest relatives today are rhinos and horses!
Knuckle Walker: Chalicotherium's long curved claws made it impossible for the creature to place its front feet flat on the ground. Instead, chalicotherium had to walk on its knuckles with its claws bent in toward its wrists.
A Stand-Up Guy: Chalicotherium had short but strong hind legs that bore most of its weight. Though it walked on all fours, the creature probably stood on its hind legs to reach taller branches when feeding and when defending itself.
Picky Eater[]
Moropus was a more recent relative of chalicotherium. Fossils found in Nebraska showed that it didn't walk on its knuckles.
Chalicotherium didn't have teeth in its upper jaw, so it probably didn't use its mouth to pull leaves off branches. Experts believe that it used its long arms and claws to pluck leaves off trees, then sat down and placed shoots in the back of its mouth-just like a modern panda. Fossilized teeth show very little wear, suggesting that this beast ate only the most tender shoots.
Slice and Dice: Though it was not a ferocious animal, chalicotherium could use its sharp claws to disembowel predators with one well-aimed swipe.
Just Browsing: Chalicotherium's last prehistoric relatives didn't walk on their knuckles and live in woodland areas. They walked flat on their feet and browsed on vegetation that dotted open, grassy areas.
Timeline[]
Chalicotherium lived from 45 to 3.5 million years ago, during the Tertiary Period.
Trading Card[]
Trivia[]
- A chalicotherium is illustrated being attacked and killed by several Hyaenodon on the latter's card.
- The chalicotherium is featured in Heavyweight Champions on Monster Mania 51.