Fun Eohippus Facts For Kids

A genus that consisted of small-sized ungulates, Eohippus has been extinct since the Eocene period i.e. 56 million to 33.9 million years ago. Studies reveal that only one species, Eohippus angustidens belonged to this extinct genus. It was also said that the Eohippus angustidens was a part of another extinct genus, Hyracotherium.

Unlike other members of the Equidae family, the Eohippus angustidens species was quite small in size. Also, their height would match the height of a small-sized breed of dog, a fox terrier. The average length and height of the species are believed to be around 2.5 ft (78 cm) and 12 in (30 cm) respectively, while these dog-sized animals weigh around 20 lb (9 kg).

The species were found in continents such as North America and Europe and inhabited the tropical forests, bushes, grasslands, savannas. The Hyracotherium species is known for its 44 low-crowned teeth and had the characteristic such as horse-like ridges on the molar teeth. Also, these animals had a short gap between the front teeth and cheek teeth, known as diastema. The Eohippus was primarily found in dark brown or yellowish-brown colors.  The Eohippus' feet had four toes on the front foot and threee toes on the back foot. The Eohippus characteristics were the same as modern-day horses.

An American professor, Othniel C. Marsh has first discover the fossil of Eohippus validus which was later moved to the genus of Hyracotherium. The Eohippus validus was referred to as the 'dawn horse.' Let's read more interesting facts about the Eohippus and if you find this article insightful, don't forget to check out exciting information about different animals like the zorse and mule.

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What type of animal is an Eohippus?

The Eohippus is a genus consisting of small-sized ungulates. The genus has been extinct since the Eocene period i.e. 56 million to 33.9 million years ago. Only one species, the Eohippus angustidens is a part of the genus.

What class of animal does an Eohippus belong to?

These small-sized horses belong to the class of mammal, the Equidae, and the order of hoofed odd-toed ungulates known as Perissodactyla. It was also said that the Eohippus angustidens was a part of another extinct genus, Hyracotherium.

How many Eohippus are there in the world?

The Eohippus genus has been extinct since the Eocene period i.e. 56 million to 33.9 million years ago.

Where does an Eohippus live?

The horses were found in several parts of Europe and North America.

What is an Eohippus's habitat?

These horses are believed to dwell in the tropical forests, bushes, grasslands, savannas.

Who does Eohippus live with?

Like other members of the Equidae family, these horses preferred to live in groups. The group of horses generally consists of around 20-25 individuals.

How long does an Eohippus live?

There is no information regarding the lifespan of these horses but the average lifespan of horses is around 25-30 years.

How do they reproduce?

No information regarding the reproduction system of the dawn horse is available as of now. The Eohippus horses are considered the ancestors of today's horse, thus it is believed that the Eohippus horse followed the same methods of producing offsprings.

A horse generally is polygynous which means that the male horse mates with multiple female horses. Also, males are territorial and quite aggressive. During the breeding season, the male horse is involved in fights to impress the females. The female horse goes through a heat cycle after reaching sexual maturity. The average gestation period of the horse is around 300-335 days and the female Eohippus horse is believed to produce one offspring each year.

What is their conservation status?

The Eohippus horse has been extinct since the Eocene period i.e. 56 million to 33.9 million years ago.

What does Eohippus look like?

Unlike modern horses of the hoofed odd-toed ungulate order, the dawn horse was quite small. Also, the Hyracotherium horse had a hump on its back. It is also said that the horse had dark brown fur while the underparts were white in color.

*Please note that this is an image of a Przewalski's horse, not an Eohippus. If you have an image of the Eohippus, let us know at [email protected].

How cute are they?

If the Hyracotherium horse had not become extinct, everyone would love to see the dog-sized horse around them. Also, one of the special and adorable things is the Eohippus' teeth. These animals had 44 low-crowned teeth and a short diastema, a short gap between the front teeth and cheek teeth.

How do they communicate?

We do not have any information regarding their communication methods but the ancestor of modern-day horses of the odd-toed ungulate order, Hyracotherium, is believed to follow the same methods of communication. Through different sounds, body movements, and facial expressions, these mammals try to communicate.

How big is an Eohippus?

The Eohippus size was quite small and the average length and height of the Hyracotherium horse are believed to be around 2.5 ft (78 cm) and 12 in (30 cm) respectively, while this dog-sized horse weighs around 20 lb (9 kg). The Hyracotherium horse is twice the size of the Chihuahua dog. Also, the horse is said to be taller than the Shih Tzu.

How fast can an Eohippus move?

The exact speed of the Hyracotherium horse is not known but several studies reveal that the species had strong legs and toes. The horse's feet had a splint bone, with four toes on the front foot, and three toes on the hindfoot. Another relative of the Hyracotherium called Perissodactyl is said to be the beast of South and western Asia.

How much does an Eohippus weigh?

The average Eohippus weight is 20 lb (9 kg). The small-sized carnivore animals, wolverine are twice the weight of this extinct horse.

What are the male and female names of the species?

Males of modern-day horses are generally called stallions, whereas, females are called mares.  

What would you call a baby Eohippus?

The babies or offsprings of the horses are called foals.  

What do they eat?

The Hyracotherium were herbivores and primarily prey on soft leaves, low bushes, fruits, nuts.

Are they aggressive?

No information regarding the social behavior of the Hyracotherium animals is available at the moment but modern-day odd-toed ungulates are quite territorial and aggressive. These animals could cause injuries to humans as well.

Would they make a good pet?

The Hyracotherium horses have been extinct since the Eocene period.

Did you know...

The odd-toed ungulate order consists of 17 species of horses, zebras, rhinos, tapirs, and asses.

In 1841, Richard Owen, an English paleontologist discovered the fossil of the tiny horse on a site somewhere in England.

Is the Eohippus real?

The Eohippus horses are known as the ancestors of modern-day horses. While talking about the Eohippus evolution, the major change was seen in the teeth. Also, a few changes in food habits can also be seen. Several pieces of research suggest that it took around 20 million years to observe these changes.

Why is Eohippus called dawn horse?

The term 'Eohippus' is a combination of two Greek words, 'eos', and 'hippos'. The meaning of these terms is 'dawn' and 'horse' respectively.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals from our plains zebra facts and Rodrigues flying fox facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Eohippus coloring pages.

*Please note that the main image is of a Przewalski's horse, not an Eohippus. If you have an image of the Eohippus, let us know at [email protected].