Woolly Rhinoceros

The Woolly Rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis) is an extinct species of rhinoceros that survived the last ice age. It lived on the northern steppes of Eurasia, whereas its relative the Giant Unicorn had a more southern range. It had a flat horn that enabled it to push aside snow in order to graze.

This plant-eater was about 11 feet (3.5 m) long. It had two horns on its snout, the lower one larger than the one between its eyes (about 3 feet (1 m) long). It had long hair, small ears, short, thick legs, and a stocky body.

It was hunted by early humans, who probably caused its extinction. Its shape is known from prehistoric cave drawings.

Recent carbon dating has shown that populations survived as recently as 8 000 B.C. in Western Siberia (PDF). A close relative, the Sumatran Rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis), still survives in South-East Asia, but is highly endangered.