Rhinoceros (Jaw)

Object/Artifact

-

Crater Rock Museum

Name/Title

Rhinoceros (Jaw)

Entry/Object ID

2012.2.20

Description

Chemical Composition: Fe,Si,Ni Crystal System: Monoclinic System Description: Phylum: Chordata Family: Rhinocerotidae Class: Mammalia Order: Perissodactyla Common Name: Rhinoceros (Jaw) Age: Eocene Location: John Day Fossil Beds, Oregon Description: This specimen is a partial section of the lower jaw, showing good detail. Physical Charateristics: Rhinocerotidae. Two of these species are native to Africa and three to Southern Asia. Members of the rhinoceros family are characterized by their large size (they are some of the largest remaining megafauna, with all of the species able to reach one tonne or more in weight); as well as by a herbivorous diet; a thick protective skin, 1.5–5 cm thick, formed from layers of collagen positioned in a lattice structure; relatively small brains for mammals this size (400–600 g); and a large horn. They generally eat leafy material, although their ability to ferment food in their hindgut allows them to subsist on more fibrous plant matter, if necessary. Unlike other perissodactyls, the two African species of rhinoceros lack teeth at the front of their mouths, relying instead on their powerful premolar and molar teeth to grind up plant food.[1] Rhinoceros are killed by humans for their horns, which are bought and sold on the black market, and which are used by some cultures for ornamental or (pseudo-scientific) medicinal purposes. The horns are made of keratin, the same type of protein that makes up hair and fingernails.[2] Both African species and the Sumatran rhinoceros have two horns, while the Indian and Javan rhinoceros have a single horn. Family: Rhinocerotidae Hardness: 6 Orthoclase Kingdom: Animalia (Animals) Luster: Glassy Class: Mammalia Order: Perissodactyla Phylum: Chordata Rock Type: Metamorphic

Collection

Mike Hammer Fossil Collection

Acquisition

Accession

2012.2

Source or Donor

Mike Hammer

Acquisition Method

Long-term Loan

Other Names and Numbers

Other Number

Other Number: MKH-20

Dimensions

Width

4-1/4 in

Depth

2-3/4 in

Length

9-1/2 in

Location

Location

Container

Right

Drawer

Bottom

Shelf

Left

Cabinet

Case# 49

Room

Delmar Smith Hall

Building

Crater Rock Museum

Category

Permanent