Difference between revisions of "Horse"
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Evolutionary biologists believe that the modern horse has slowly evolved into its present form over the course of about 60 million years, from ''Hyracotherium'' (60 million years ago) to our "modern-day horse," ''Equus'' (1 million years ago). This claim is based on various pieces of fossil evidence arranged in an evolutionary pattern, such as the change from five toes on ''Hyracotherium'' (some vestigial) to three toes on ''Mesohippus'' and then to the single toe of ''Equus'' along with the progressing development of hooves. The skulls also shows an evolutionary trend from fossil to fossil, as do the teeth changing from a browser to a grazer.<ref>[http://chem.tufts.edu/science/evolution/HorseEvolution.htm Horse Evolution] from Tufts University</ref> | Evolutionary biologists believe that the modern horse has slowly evolved into its present form over the course of about 60 million years, from ''Hyracotherium'' (60 million years ago) to our "modern-day horse," ''Equus'' (1 million years ago). This claim is based on various pieces of fossil evidence arranged in an evolutionary pattern, such as the change from five toes on ''Hyracotherium'' (some vestigial) to three toes on ''Mesohippus'' and then to the single toe of ''Equus'' along with the progressing development of hooves. The skulls also shows an evolutionary trend from fossil to fossil, as do the teeth changing from a browser to a grazer.<ref>[http://chem.tufts.edu/science/evolution/HorseEvolution.htm Horse Evolution] from Tufts University</ref> | ||
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==See also== | ==See also== | ||
* [[Mule]] | * [[Mule]] | ||
Revision as of 06:30, December 18, 2008
| Horse | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom Information | |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum Information | |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Sub-phylum | Vertebrata |
| Class Information | |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order Information | |
| Order | Perissodactyla |
| Sub-order | Hippomorpha |
| Family Information | |
| Family | Equidae |
| Genus Information | |
| Genus | Equus |
| Species Information | |
| Species | E. caballus (Domestic Horse) E. ferus caballus (Wild Horse) |
| Population statistics | |
Horses are large mammals known for their beauty and usefulness to humans. They provide a source of rapid transportation for hunting and travel and can pull wagons and carts. Before the invention of the tractor, horses were invaluable to farmers who used them to plough fields and haul heavy loads.
Horses have been bred since antiquity. Their use for transportation was curtailed in the early 1900s as automobiles (then called "horseless carriages") replaced them. In imperial measurements, motors are still measured in terms of horsepower.
The height of a horse is usually measured in "hands", with one hand corresponding to to approximately four inches or ten centimetres.
Evolutionary view of origins
Evolutionary biologists believe that the modern horse has slowly evolved into its present form over the course of about 60 million years, from Hyracotherium (60 million years ago) to our "modern-day horse," Equus (1 million years ago). This claim is based on various pieces of fossil evidence arranged in an evolutionary pattern, such as the change from five toes on Hyracotherium (some vestigial) to three toes on Mesohippus and then to the single toe of Equus along with the progressing development of hooves. The skulls also shows an evolutionary trend from fossil to fossil, as do the teeth changing from a browser to a grazer.[1]
See also
References
- ↑ Horse Evolution from Tufts University
Links
- Horses and horse breeds
- Equine health care at TheHorse.com
- Horse Care Articles