
The Paraceratherium Migration

by Daniel Eskridge
Title
The Paraceratherium Migration
Artist
Daniel Eskridge
Medium
Digital Art - Digital
Description
Paraceratheriums were the largest land mammals to ever exist. They lived between 37 million years ago and 23 million years ago and were related to rhinoceroses. There's no evidence to suggest that they migrated regularly, but this is a special migration. Apparently, their extinction was caused by climate change, so I have depicted them in this artwork as on the move searching for new lands that can support them. Hence they have wandered into colder territory where fir trees dot the landscape.
To emphasize this new environment, I've added in the foreground an early form of saber-tooth, a Eusmilus, known as a false saber-tooth (it was not actually a saber tooth cat). That funny beard that it has is actually pouches that it can keep its teeth in. The Eusmilus wouldn't dream of hunting the Paraceratheriums. They'd crush him in a second. So, he just sits and watches them pass by.
It's very possible that the Eusmilus and Paraceratherium may have missed each other by several million years, hence never actually crossed paths. However, as my paleo art has always been more art than science, you'll have to excuse the possible anachronism.
Uploaded
December 30th, 2011
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Comments (2)

Larry Cirigliano
I love looking at your work Deniel I feel like I am going back in time. This is another great one, nice atmospheric effect in this

Kristin Elmquist
My goodness, but you've been busy, Daniel! Beautiful work.
Daniel Eskridge replied:
Thanks! I'm actually uploading some older stuff. I discovered a bunch that I never uploaded to FAA today. Though I do have a new one on the way for later this afternoon.