Evolution of the Equine Digit

3D Model

Hyracotherium 50 mya: Walked on several spread out toes that were advantageous for walking on the moist forest floor habitat of the early Eocene period of North America.

Mesohippus 35 mya: Climate change during the mid to late Eocene resulted in a path work habitat of moist forest and dense prairie grasslands. Mesohippus spent more time out in the denser prairies dieting on grass instead of foliage.

Parahippus 25 mya: Spent most of its time out on the denser prairie lands running from predators out in the open.

Pliohippus 12 mya: By the late Miocene, North America had lost most of its moist forest which was replaced by large dense prairie grasslands. Pliohippus is an animal well adapted to running on dense prairie grasslands avoiding predation out in the open.

Equus The modern day horse evolved from a several toed species rummaging through the forest to now a large grass eating animal capable of reaching high speeds while running on a single toe.