Moropus

Skeleton of Moropus at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC

• USA

Moropus ( "slow foot" ) is an extinct mammal species; it is closely related to Chalicotherium and forms together an unusual group of odd-toed ungulates.

While horses, tapirs and rhinoceroses, have the still living representatives of the Perissodactyla, hooves on her legs, and Moropus Chalicotherium wore large claws on the toes. Pointed out in the literal translation of the name of the family out, " horses with claws". Moropus was larger than our present-day horses, but had a similar shape. However, the front legs were longer than the hind legs so that the back-line fell backwards. Could run fast Moropus therefore certainly not. The seated on each toe claw was withdrawn like a cat while running. What 's claws were used is unclear; perhaps the animals dug so roots from the soil, but perhaps they were also directed to the hind legs and tore leaves and branches from the trees.