Promerycochoerus fossil map
Where fossils of Promerycochoerus 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 | 29.5–15.98 million years ago (Rupelian to Burdigalian) |
| Periods | Paleogene, Neogene |
| Family | Merycoidodontidae |
| Named by | Douglass 1901 |
| Fossil records | 114 occurrences at 20 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | United States |
| Rock formations | txn:42488, John Day, Harrison, Monroe Creek, Colter, Deep River |
About Promerycochoerus
Promerycochoerus ("Before Merycochoerus" or "Before Ruminating Hog") is an extinct genus of hippopotamus-like oreodont artiodactyl that lived in Central North America during the Early Miocene, 27.3—18.5 million years ago.
The 1 m (3 ft 4 in) long creature is thought to have been amphibious, as all species possessed an elongated, barrel-shaped body and short limbs that are typical adaptations found in semi-aquatic mammals. P. superbus had a long tapir-like face, while P. carrikeri had a short, somewhat pig-like face.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Promerycochoerus (revision 1345022691), 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: Q20720020.
