Fossil 'hybrid' elephant and three million year old horse

A team found fossils of animals 1.5m taller, weighing about 500kg, shaped in a mixture of horses and elephants.

Researchers have discovered fossils of a herbivorous mammal , living three million years ago in Argentina, Fox News reported on Dec. 19.

The picture illustrates a horse and elephant-like animal that appeared three million years ago.(Photo: Daniel Boh).

"We found skull fragments, part of the front legs, femur and spine , " said Daniel Boh, a member of the research team.

Daniel described the animal as "a combination of horses and elephants". It is 1.5m taller, nearly 2.4m long and weighs about 500kg. This creature belongs to the Promacrauchenian family, living in Upper Tan, the period dominated by large mammals and birds.

It has some ability of amphibians."The short hose helps it soak in the water, air conditioning and use in many other activities," explained Mariano Magnussen, a fossil research technician.

According to Bob, there has never been a record of this animal before."Therefore, this is an important finding. It can provide information about environmental and geographical changes in the region," Bob said.

He and his team will continue to visit and study the fossil site."The ocean waves will erode the cliff, revealing new fossils," Bob said.