Posted on 12/08/2012 2:19:44 PM PST by Renfield
The preserved body of a woolly rhinoceros has revealed new insights into how this now extinct giant animal once lived.
The woolly rhino was once one of the most abundant large mammals living in Eurasia, but only a handful of preserved carcasses have been found.
Now an analysis of a female woolly rhino found preserved in Siberia reveals that the animal was a herbivore that grazed mainly on cereals, and was similar in size to today's Javan rhino.
However, it was slow to reproduce, had a short stubby tail and ears, and was likely driven to extinction in part due to its inability to wade through deeper blankets of snow, which became more common as the climate changed, say scientists....
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
Early Rinos.
They shoveled snow like the current ones shovel sh*t.
I read something very long ago that rhinos suffered from chronic constipation, which accounted for their foul disposition and high death rate.
When I saw the title, I just knew this thread would be LOL!
Hat tip to all y’all. Funny stuff.
Looks like an overnight dusting at some of the places around me. As I said, drifts can be deep, but snowfall like that pictured is uncommon in the Great Plains (probably why that image has lasted as long as it has). As far as the animals you mentioned, those are most likely relic populations. And I was probably simplistic when I talked about migration; bison will move to areas that provide better thermal cover during the winter - that may be downslope, or even north if conditions are more favorable.
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GGG managers are SunkenCiv, StayAt HomeMother & Ernest_at_the_Beach | |
Thanks Renfield. Political Action Committee hyderm ping. |
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...found preserved in Siberia reveals that the animal was a herbivore that grazed mainly on cereals...and was likely driven to extinction in part due to its inability......to find food when Siberia suddenly became as it is today.
I'm sure the manner in which the snow gets deep is very meaningful to the animal.
As far as the animals you mentioned, those are most likely relic populations.
Most likely. Relics aren't affected by the weather.
...bison will move to areas that provide better thermal cover during the winter - that may be downslope, or even north if conditions are more favorable.
Undoubtedly how the American Bison got its reputation for being able to withstand the worst imaginable winter conditions.
Nobody is saying that bison can’t put up with bad weather. They were historically found all the way to the shores of the Arctic Ocean. But we aren’t talking about cold, we’re talking about snow. You can go around a drift, and despite what you seem to think, bison migrate to locations where forage and grazing is better; animals that can’t migrate (for whatever reason), or can’t adapt, die. Sounds like you just want to argue...
“That big horn would be as good of or a better plow than a bisons head.”
Right on Kemosabe!
Just yesterday I ordered a herd of unicorns (actually the proper term is a “shaft” of unicorns) off e-bay which are guaranteed to clear my driveway of snow in under 40 minutes as well provide eight pounds of dung daily for my woodstove.
Money-back if me and the missus aren’t completely satisfied!
ROTFLOL
What happened to da Skittles?
Geez, I clicked the link thinking it was about John Boehner .......
mark
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