Giant Walrus (Pontolis magnus)
256256Pontolis magnus (Pontolis magnus True 1905 )
Pontoleon magnus
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Caniformia
Superfamily: Pinnipedia
Family: Odobenidae
Temporal range: late Miocene of North America
Dimensions: length - 3 - 5 m, weight - 1000 - 4000 (?) kg
A typical representative: Pontolis magnus True 1905
The giant walrus Pontolis was described in 1905 and dates from the late Miocene (7-9 million years ago). The length of its skull was 60 cm, and the size it was contemporary with elephant seals. In general, Pontolis is a third more than the largest modern walrus. These huge pinnipeds have more simple structure of the teeth, the more massive skull, rather large fangs and a more concave and elongated palate than the walrus of the middle Miocene.
Pontolis magnus (Pontolis magnus True 1905 )
Pontoleon magnus
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Caniformia
Superfamily: Pinnipedia
Family: Odobenidae
Temporal range: late Miocene of North America
Dimensions: length - 3 - 5 m, weight - 1000 - 4000 (?) kg
A typical representative: Pontolis magnus True 1905
The giant walrus Pontolis was described in 1905 and dates from the late Miocene (7-9 million years ago). The length of its skull was 60 cm, and the size it was contemporary with elephant seals. In general, Pontolis is a third more than the largest modern walrus. These huge pinnipeds have more simple structure of the teeth, the more massive skull, rather large fangs and a more concave and elongated palate than the walrus of the middle Miocene.