Sieferts

Sieferts are a genus of extinct horses that lived during the late Miocene and early Pliocene epochs. These ancient horses were first discovered in the United States by paleontologist A.D. Basic in the 1930s. The name Sieferts comes from the genus name Siefert, which is a rare surname.

There are currently two known species in the Sieferts genus: Siefert's horse (Siefertia) and Swain's horse (Siefertia swains). Siefert's horse was a small to medium-sized horse that lived in what is now the western United States. It stood at around 36 to 40 inches tall at the shoulder and weighed approximately 200 to 300 pounds. Sieferta swains, on the other hand, was slightly larger, reaching heights of up to 42 inches at the shoulder and weighing around 350 pounds.

Fossil evidence suggests that Sieferts were browsing/ grass-eating horses, with horse-like teeth and dental structure indicating that they grazed on low-growing plants. The Sieferts fossils have been found in the North American Great Plains, particularly in the states of Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado. Their extinction can be attributed to changes in the climate and vegetation in the region, which made it difficult for these horses to adapt.

Studying Sieferts provides valuable insights into the evolution and diversity of horses during this period. By learning more about these ancient horses, scientists can better understand the relationships between horses and their environment, as well as the evolution of modern horse species.