Question

Using various resources such as your school library or the internet and discussions with your teacher, trace the evolutionary stages of horse.

Answer 1

The evolution of horse started with Eohippus during Eocene period.

Evolutionary stages of horse: Eohippus- Mesohippus- Merychippus- Pliohippus- Equus

1) Eohippus (Dawn horse)- It had a short head and neck. This horse was about only 28 cm high at the shoulders.

2) Mesohippus (Intermediate horse)- It was slightly taller than Eohippus (60cm). It had three toes in each foot.

3) Merychippus (Ruminating horse)- It had the size of approximately 100 cm. The molars were adapted for chewing the grass.

4) Pliohippus (Pliocene horse)- It resembled the modern horse and was around 108 cm tall.

5) Equus (Modern horse)- It is about 150 cm high at the shoulders. They have incisors for cutting grass and molars for grinding food.