Synthetoceras
Sign in to saveSynthetoceras is an extinct genus of large protoceratid that was endemic to North America during the Late Miocene (12.5-4.7 million years ago), existing for approximately 7.8 million years. Fossils have been recovered from Nebraska and Texas. Two species have been described: S. tricornatus (the type species) and S. davisorum.
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Synthetoceras is an extinct genus of large protoceratid that was endemic to North America during the Late Miocene (12.5-4.7 million years ago), existing for approximately 7.8 million years. Fossils have been recovered from Nebraska and Texas. Two species have been described: S. tricornatus (the type species) and S. davisorum.
== Description == thumb|left|Life restoration of S. tricornatus With a length of and a mass of , Synthetoceras was the largest member of its family. It was also the last, and had what is considered to be the protoceratids' strangest set of horns. The two horns above its eyes looked fairly normal and similar to those of many modern horned mammals, but on its snout it had a bizarre, long horn with a forked tip that gave it a Y-shape. Only males had this strange horn, and they probably used it in territorial fights.