Woolly Rhinoceros

Scientific classification
Kingdom Information
Domain |  Eukaryota
Kingdom |  Animalia
Subkingdom |  Bilateria
Phylum Information
Phylum |  Chordata
Sub-phylum |  Vertebrata
Infraphylum |  Gnathostomata
Class Information
Superclass |  Gnathostomata
Class |  Mammalia
Sub-class |  Theriiformes
Infra-class |  Holotheria
Order Information
Superorder |  Preptotheria
Order |  Perissodactyla
Sub-order |  Ceratomorpha
Infraorder |  Tapiromorpha
Family Information
Superfamily |  Rhinocerotoidea
Family |  Rhinocerotidae
Tribe Information
Tribe |  Dicerorhinini
Genus Information
Genus |  Coelodonta
Species Information
Species |  C. antiquitatis
Binomial name |  Coelodonta antiquitatis
Population statistics

The Woolly Rhinoceros, also known as Coelodonta antiquitatis (or simply C. antiquitatis), was a kind of Eurasian rhinoceros known for its cold-repellant coat of hair. Considered to be megafauna (large animals from the Pleistocene Epoch), they are members of one of the better-known species from the Quaternary Period.[1]

## Contents

* 1 Description
* 1.1 Horns
* 2 Habitat
* 3 Human involvement
* 4 Evolutionary claims
* 5 References

## Description[edit]

C. antiquitatis was a thickset mammal and measured twelve feet long.[2] Woolly rhinoceroses could be six feet tall and weigh about six thousand pounds.[3] Its thick coat of fur could defend it against the colder temperatures. The animal migrated as glaciers withdrew, meaning that C. antiquitatis preferred colder temperatures and followed them as the climate on earth naturally changed.[4]

#### Horns[edit]

C. antiquitatis have two horns. The frontal horn was about three feet in length while the horn behind it was much smaller in size. Made of keratin, the horn is thought to have been used for fighting, attracting a mate, or moving aside snow from low-growing plants.[5]

## Habitat[edit]

C. antiquitatis covered a fairly large range, from Scotland to as far as South Korea. A complete specimen was preserved in the Ukraine. They liked steppe-tundra landscapes and preferred cooler weather. This could explain temporal shifts in range.[6] It is unknown whether or not C. antiquitatis was a browser or a grazer; this may or may not have played a role in its choice of habitat.[7]

## Human involvement[edit]

French cave paintings suggest that C. antiquitatis was hunted by humans. Some scientists attribute human involvement with the specie to its extinction.[8] Other factors regarding extinction include natural climate changes and possible diseases.

## Evolutionary claims[edit]

Evolution scientists claim that C. antiquitatis is closely related to the Sumatran rhinoceros. The Sumatran rhinoceros is said to be the final member of the woolly rhinoceros family.[9]

## References[edit]

1. ↑ http://www.crystalinks.com/woollyrhino.html
2. ↑ http://www.crystalinks.com/woollyrhino.html
3. ↑ http://www.rhinos-irf.org/woolly/
4. ↑ http://www.crystalinks.com/woollyrhino.html
5. ↑ http://www.crystalinks.com/woollyrhino.html
6. ↑ http://www.rhinos-irf.org/woolly/
7. ↑ http://www.crystalinks.com/woollyrhino.html
8. ↑ http://www.rhinos-irf.org/woolly/
9. ↑ http://www.rhinos-irf.org/woolly/