Neohipparion
Neohipparion, "pony" ) is an extinct genus of equid, from the Neogene of North America and Central America.
Distribution
Fossils of this horse have been found in Texas, Kansas, South Dakota, Montana, Nevada, Alabama, Florida, Oregon, and Mexico.
Description
This prehistoric genus of hipparionin equid grew to lengths of up to long.
Palaeoecology
Reproduction
In Florida, Neohipparion lived in a savanna environment during the dry season, but moved to a wet environment when it came time to mate. The average age of death for a newborn colt was 3.5 years, with a juvenile mortality rate of 64% during its first 2 years of existence. However, those that got past those for 2 years of life lived to be 8 years old before expiring.
Diet
δ13C values of N. trampasense from the Love Bone Bed of Florida show it had a clear preference for foraging in open habitats. δ13C values from N. eurystyle fossils found in Florida indicate that it fed almost exclusively on C4 grasses, while fossils of the same species from central Mexico indicate a more varied diet that consisted of both C3 and C4 plants.