Ancient horse

Scientists from the University of Nebraska believe that relatives of modern horses, lived in the Eocene epoch (55, 8 million. years ago) were very tiny. So representatives of the now-extinct species Sifrhippus sandrae weighed only 3, 8 kg and is the size of a cat. These findings, paleontologists made based on an analysis of the teeth of these animals. Sifrhippus lived during pozdnepaleotsenovogo thermal maximum (PETM) - a period lasting 175 thousand. Years, which has come about 56 million. Years ago. Then the temperature is increased by 5, 5 degrees Celsius as a result of emissions of large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and the ocean. During the PETM about a third of all mammals is significantly decreased in size, the size of some became less twice. Representatives Sifrhippus reduced in size by 30% in the first 130 thousand. Pozdnepaleotsenovogo years period of maximum thermal and their weight was 3 kg 8 in the next 45 thousand. Years with decreasing temperature, these animals became 6 weigh 8 kg. According to scientists, today due to global warming, we can expect similar trends. The researchers believe that the size of modern mammals also be reduced. According to forecasts, the temperature on Earth will rise by 4 degrees Celsius over the next 100 years. See also: Why did the bear rises on its hind legs? Kea - a carnivorous parrots that prey on sheep. The smartest dog in the world knows more than 1000 words. Liger is a "very big cat 'on the planet. Cats know how to manage people.

Source: mirfactov.com/