Woolly Rhinoceros

## Physiology

### Attributes

Thick fur coat; poor eyesight; powerful hearing and smell; two, sharp horns on head; aggressive

## Biography

### Time

3.7 MYA to 10 TYA

> "Another animal that doesn't travel south in winter is the Woolly Rhinoceros."
>
> Narrator, describing the Woolly Rhinoceros

***Coelodonta*** (name meaning "*Hollow Tooth*"), also known as the ***Woolly Rhinoceros***, is a genus of Ice Age rhinoceros that originated during the Pliocene epoch in what is now Asia. Measuring almost 4 meters long and weighing 2 tons, it was a rhino fully adapted to the hostile conditions of the Late Pleistocene.

In the Series 2 episode "*Tales of the Ice Age,*" a small crash of *Woolly Rhinoceros*, consisting three females and their calves, were living from Pleistocene Europe, 30,000 years ago. Additionally, a male *Woolly Rhinoceros* was living alone, after it had attacked and injured a Neanderthal, collecting wood on its territory, while two males were fighting for territory in Pleistocene Europe, 13,000 years ago.

## Facts

### Era & Discovery

*Coelodonta* appeared in Tibet during the late Pliocene around 3.7 million years ago and disappeared in Europe and Siberia during the late Pleistocene, over 10,000 years ago. It was one of the largest animals in its environment and was first discovered in 1799.

### Physical Attributes

A smaller species of prehistoric rhinoceros compared to *Elasmotherium*, *Coelodonta* was nevertheless a large rhinoceros, measuring 9 – 12 feet (3 – 3.8 m) in length and weighing over 2 tons (4,000 lbs). These rhinos are very short–sighted. Their sense of smell is way better than their sight.

*Coelodonta* looked similar to a modern rhinoceros from the African savanna. However, unlike modern rhinos, it possessed a thick, shaggy coat of brown fur. This coat of fur was several centimeters thick and helped to keep it warm in the winter. It would shed its fur in the spring and summer months in favor of a shorter, cooler coat. Due to the extremely cold climate it lived in, this animal adapted to cope with its environment.

They also had two, significantly larger horns on its head than its modern African cousins, both were made of keratin. They most likely used their horns to dig up plants than had been buried by the snow. It was also used as a weapon against predators and rivals.

While the eyesight of *Coelodonta* was very poor, its senses of smell and hearing was excellent and would have alerted it to any danger. If it identified something as a threat, it would charge instantly at its target.

### Behavior & Traits

*Coelodonta* was a solitary animal but have been known to get together in groups. Additionally, they were easily startled and charged instantly at anything that surprises them. When males fought, the fights weren't always violent. They scraped their horns on the ground until one of them backed down and left the area to the victor.

## Gallery

A male Woolly Rhinoceros chasing down a Neanderthal man
## Trivia

* *Coelodonta* is the smallest species of prehistoric rhinoceros to have in the museum.
* The sound effects of *Coelodonta* are that of rhinoceros sounds as well as bison, buffalo, bull, cow, and horse jurassic park triceratops sound effects.