Oxydactylus fossil map
Where fossils of Oxydactylus have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 15 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 15 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 | 29.5–5.333 million years ago (Rupelian to Messinian) |
| Periods | Paleogene, Neogene |
| Family | Camelidae |
| Named by | Peterson 1904 |
| Fossil records | 50 occurrences at 22 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | United States, Mexico |
| Rock formations | txn:42513, Oakville, Renova, Harrison, Runningwater, Rosarito Beach |
About Oxydactylus
Oxydactylus is an extinct genus of camelid endemic to North America. It lived from the Late Oligocene to the Middle Miocene (28.4–13.7 mya), existing for approximately 14 million years. The name is from the Ancient Greek οξύς (oxys, "sharp")and δάκτυλος (daktylos, "finger").
They had very long legs and necks, and were probably adapted to eating high vegetation, much like modern giraffes. Unlike modern camelids, they had hooves, rather than tough sole-pads, and splayed toes.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Oxydactylus (revision 1275538982), 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: Q1093351.
