Ceratogaulus hatcheri (Horned Gopher)

Note: A digitally colored version of the original, available here:
http://sounder1995.deviantart.com/art/Ceratogaulus-hatcheri-Horned-Gopher-555848854

Ceratogaulus hatcheri (Matthew, 1902) (Horned Gopher)
Synapsida
Therapsida
Theriodontia
Cynodontia
Mammalia
Theria
Eutheria
Placentalia
Boreoeutheria
Euarchontoglires
Glires
Rodentia
Sciuromorpha?
Mylagaulidae

Late Miocene to Early Pleistocene
North America

Length (Quadrupedal): About 30 cm

The smallest horned mammal known to modern science, she has evolved bony (not just keratinous!) horns as a defensive measure. They are no larger nor more elaborate in her male counterparts.

The horned gopher. An animal so self-explanatory, she makes rocket launcher instructions seem like graduate school level calculus!

Sunday, December 6th, 2015