Hypertragulus fossil map
Where fossils of Hypertragulus have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 30 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 30 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 | 39.7–16.3 million years ago (Bartonian to Burdigalian) |
| Periods | Paleogene, Neogene |
| Family | Hypertragulidae |
| Named by | Cope 1874 |
| Fossil records | 108 occurrences at 30 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | United States, Mexico |
| Rock formations | Brule, John Day, txn:42589, Chadron, Devil's Graveyard, Preitos |
About Hypertragulus
Hypertragulus is an extinct genus of hypertragulid ruminant endemic to North America. It lived from the Late Eocene to the Middle Miocene, living 37.2 to 16 million years ago, existing for approximately 21.2 million years.
Hypertragulus were primitive and ancient ruminants, resembling small deer or musk deer, although they were more closely related to modern chevrotains. Its diet is stated to be that of a frugivore.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Hypertragulus (revision 1376847244), 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: Q5958757.
