Perissodactyls

Perissodactyls are an order of odd-toed ungulates. Most ungulates walk on their toes, which are usually covered with a thick nail referred to as a hoof. Perissodactyls commonly have three digits on their hind feet and three to four digits on their forefeet, although many modern perissodactyls only have one remaining functional digit. They have large ‘cheekteeth,’ and a simple stomach, well suited to browsing or grazing on the lush vegetation prevalent in North America during the Early Eocene. This group first appeared in North America during the Late Paleocene, about 59 MYA. By the beginning of the Eocene they had spread onto several continents and diversified into multiple groups including the horses, tapirs and rhinoceros.