Eohippus fossil map
Where fossils of Eohippus have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 56 million years ago and on today’s map.
Dots are fossil collections recorded in the Paleobiology Database. The “then” view moves today’s fossil sites back to their positions 56 million years ago (the time slice nearest the median age of the fossils) using the Merdith et al. (2021) plate model; positions are approximate. Open on the timeline map →
| Group | Early mammals |
|---|---|
| Lived | 56–51.1 million years ago (Ypresian) |
| Periods | Paleogene |
| Family | Equidae |
| Named by | Marsh 1876 |
| Fossil records | 12 occurrences at 3 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | United States, Mexico |
| Rock formations | San Jose, Huerfano, Las Tetas de Cabra |
About Eohippus
Eohippus is an extinct genus of small equid ungulates. The only species is E. angustidens, which was long considered a species of Hyracotherium (now strictly defined as a member of the Palaeotheriidae rather than the Equidae). Its remains have been identified in North America and date to the Early Eocene (Ypresian stage).
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Eohippus (revision 1380298430), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; introduction excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Ages, family, authority and fossil records: Paleobiology Database, accessed 23 October 2026. Ages are those of the rock layers the fossils were found in. Wikidata: Q5241216.
