Protylopus fossil map
Where fossils of Protylopus have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 45 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 45 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 | 45.9–37 million years ago (Lutetian to Priabonian) |
| Periods | Paleogene |
| Family | Oromerycidae |
| Named by | Wortman 1898 |
| Fossil records | 70 occurrences at 16 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | United States |
| Rock formations | Santiago, Sespe, Uinta, Mission Valley, Devil's Graveyard, Washakie |
About Protylopus
Protylopus is an extinct genus of camel that lived during middle to late Eocene some 50-40 million years ago in North America.
Along with being the oldest camel known, it was also the smallest, reaching a length of 80 centimetres (2.6 ft), and probably weighing around 26 kilograms (57 lb). Based on its teeth, it probably fed on the soft leaves of forest plants. Protylopus's front legs were shorter than the hind legs, and ended in four-toed feet. The hind legs also ended in four toes, but most of the weight was carried by the third and fourth, so it may have raised itself up on its back legs like the modern day gerenuk antelope to feed. The shape of the toes suggests that the animal possessed hooves, rather than the foot-pads of modern camels.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Protylopus (revision 1361536901), 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: Q1093667.
