Metridiochoerus

Metridiochoerus
Temporal range: Late Pliocene to Early Pleistocene
Jaw of M. hopwoodi
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Synapsida
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Suidae
Subfamily: Suinae
Genus: Metridiochoerus
Hopwood, 1926
Species
  • M. andrewsi
  • M. compactus
  • M. hopwoodi
  • M. jacksoni
  • M. meadowsi
  • M. modestus

Metridiochoerus is an extinct genus in the pig family indigenous to the Pliocene and Pleistocene of Africa. It is also known as the giant warthog.

Description

Restoration

Metridiochoerus was a large animal, 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) in length, resembling a giant warthog. It had two large pairs of tusks which were pointed sideways and curved upwards. Based on the complicated, knobbly pattern of the creature's molars, Metridiochoerus is considered to have been an omnivore.[1]

References

  1. Palmer, D., ed. (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. p. 269. ISBN 1-84028-152-9.


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