Scientists Discover Ancient Rhinoceros Fossil in the Arctic

Scientists have recently unveiled two fascinating discoveries that reveal the surprising history of Arctic rhinos.

It is important to distinguish between the 'fossilized skeletal remains' of the Miocene era found in Canada and the 'mummified carcasses' of the Pleistocene epoch discovered in Siberia.

In Canada, researchers identified Epiaceratherium itjilik, a small, hornless rhino that lived 23 million years ago in temperate forests.

This discovery proves that early rhinos used a land bridge to travel between Europe and North America.

Conversely, the Siberian discoveries involve the woolly rhinoceros, a creature adapted to the harsh 'mammoth steppe' of the Ice Age.

Both discoveries show that the Arctic was once home to diverse rhinoceros populations, each perfectly suited to their specific prehistoric environment.