Rhinocerotoids

Rhinocerotoids is a superfamily of perissodactyl mammals that includes the living rhinoceroses and their extinct relatives. The term is derived from the Greek words "rhinos" meaning nose and "keras" meaning horn, referring to the characteristic horns found on many members of this group. Fossil evidence indicates that rhinocerotoids originated in the Eocene epoch, with the earliest forms appearing in Eurasia. Over time, they diversified and spread to other continents, including North America and Africa.

The superfamily is characterized by a relatively large body size, stout limbs, and a thick skin. Their dentition is adapted for herbivory, with specialized teeth for grinding vegetation. While modern rhinoceroses are well-known for their horns, extinct rhinocerotoids exhibited a wide range of horn configurations, including multiple horns, or no horns at all.

The evolutionary history of rhinocerotoids is complex, with numerous extinct families and genera described from the fossil record. These extinct forms demonstrate a remarkable diversity in size and morphology, from small, deer-like animals to giants comparable to modern elephants. Extinction events and environmental changes played a significant role in shaping the evolutionary trajectory of this group, leading to the reduced diversity seen today. Currently, only five species of rhinoceros survive, all of which are endangered.