Eohippus (redirected from eohippuses)

eohippus: see horse.

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Eohippus

Former name of a genus of ancestral horses, commonly called dawn horses, that flourished in North America during the Early Eocene Epoch (54.8–49 million years ago). It is now classified with European species in the genus Hyracotherium. Eohippus stood 1–2 ft (30–60 cm) high at the shoulders and was adapted to running, with hind legs longer than the forelegs. The body was lightly constructed, with slender legs and elongated feet that were functionally three-toed (though the front feet had four toes). The skull varied from shortened (primitive) to relatively long (more horselike).

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Eohippus [‚ē·ō′hip·əs]

(paleontology)

The earliest, primitive horse, included in the genusHyracotherium;described as a small, four-toed species.

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Eohippus 

a genus of primitive fossil mammals of the family Equidae. Eohippus, which lived in the early Eocene, measured approximately 0.5 m in length and had tetradactyl forehooves. The animal was similar to Hyracotherium. Remains of Eohippus have been found in deposits in North America.