Fossils at Gray Fossil Site

   I. Tapir

        Reported by Vinny

        Remains of the Tapir found at the Gray Fossil Site are much smaller than living species today.  No one really knows for sure what genus the Tapir should be placed in, but now that they found many bones at the Gray Fossil Site, the paleontologists think the genus will be the Tapirus.  Tapirs are very flexible  and can live in a variety of locations and conditions.  All they need is a forested area for shelter and a water source that does not dry up.

             All species of Tapir are endangered.  So we must protect them.  Prehistoric Tapir are rare and finding the fossils of the Tapir are rare. Tapirs look like pigs or anteaters.  Although modern Tapirs do not herd together, many bones were found together at the site , so the paleontologists hypothesize that they were herders thousands of years ago.

             Tapirs are thought to live over 50 million years ago. The tapir is a relative of the rhinoceros. Tapirs eat a variety of foods including fruit, vines, and twigs.

  II.   Rhinoceros

           Reported by Zandra

           Rhinos are an endangered species.  There are only a couple thousand of them left.  There are five different kinds of Rhinos: the White, Black, Javan, Indian, and Sumatran.  The White Rhino is the second largest mammal to the elephant.  The smallest of them is the Sumatran Rhino. 

            All Rhinos are herbivores or plant eaters.  Their diets include grasses, foliage, fruits, and buds.  Rhinos are related to horses, zebras, and tapirs.  The Rhino isn't a very social animal.  They live in small packs or herds.  A Rhino can run up to 25 miles per hour.  The modern day Rhino lives in Asia and Africa.

           Click on the jaw bone of the Rhinoceros to go to the next fossil page.   

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