Eohippus, also known as Hyracotherium, was a small horse-like mammal that lived about 56 million years ago during the early Eocene epoch.

Why is Eohippus important?

Eohippus is considered the earliest ancestor of modern horses, making it a key species in the study of horse evolution.

How many toes did Eohippus have?

Eohippus had four toes on its front feet and three on its back feet, unlike modern horses which have a single hoof.

What animals lived alongside Eohippus?

Eohippus shared its environment with early primates, small carnivorous mammals, and other early ungulates.

When did Eohippus live?

Eohippus lived during the early Eocene epoch, around 56 to 47 million years ago.

What is the scientific name of Eohippus?

Eohippus was first described as 'Eohippus angustidens' but is often considered synonymous with Hyracotherium.

How did Eohippus evolve into modern horses?

Over millions of years, descendants of Eohippus became larger, developed longer legs, and evolved a single hoof adapted for running in open grasslands.

Extinct Animal Fact Sheet: All about Eohippus

Q: How big was Eohippus?

Eohippus was about the size of a small dog, standing only 30–40 cm tall at the shoulder and weighing around 5–6 kg.

Q: What did Eohippus eat?

Eohippus was a herbivore that fed mainly on soft leaves, fruits, and low-growing plants in forested areas.

Q: Where did Eohippus live?

Fossils of Eohippus have been found in North America and Europe, showing it thrived in warm, forested environments.

Extinct Animals: Eohippus

Eohippus, an extinct, small, dog-sized ancestor of the modern horse.

Eohippus (Dawn Horse)

A realistic image of a Eohippus, an extinct, small, dog-sized ancestor of the modern horse Eohippus

Generative AI Notiﬁcation: Some elements of this image have been created or enhanced using AI technology. To find out how we create all our prehistoric animals, click here.

What is Eohippus?

Eohippus was a tiny, early ancestor of the modern horse. It lived during the Eocene epoch, about 56 to 45 million years ago, and is famous for being one of the earliest known members of the horse family.

How big was Eohippus?

Eohippus was much smaller than today’s horses. It measured about 60 centimetres (2 feet) long, stood around 30 to 40 centimetres (1 to 1.5 feet) high at the shoulder, and weighed roughly 5 to 10 kilograms (11 to 22 pounds). That’s about the size of a small dog!

What did Eohippus eat?

As a herbivore, Eohippus nibbled on soft leaves, fruits, and low-growing plants that grew in the forests and woodlands where it lived. Its teeth were adapted to browsing rather than grazing.

Eohippus appearance

Eohippus had a slim body, short legs, and a long tail. Unlike modern horses, it had four toes on its front feet and three on its hind feet. Its feet were padded, helping it walk quietly through thick forests.

A realistic depiction of a Eohippus on a white background. Eohippus appearance

Where did Eohippus live?

Fossils of Eohippus have been found in North America, mainly in what are now the United States and Canada. During its time, this region was covered in dense forests and warm, humid climates.

Interesting facts

Eohippus means “Dawn Horse” because it lived at the dawn of horse evolution.
It was originally called Hyracotherium, which means “hyrax beast” because it was thought to resemble a hyrax.
Its small size and many toes helped it escape predators and move quickly through the undergrowth.

Eohippus size compared to an adult human.

Eohippus Facts

Pronounced: ee-oh-HIP-us

Name Means: “Dawn Horse”

Length: About 60 centimetres (2 feet)

Height: 30–40 centimetres (1–1.5 feet) at the shoulder

Weight: 5–10 kilograms (11–22 pounds)

Diet: Herbivore (soft leaves, fruit, and low plants)

Time: Eocene epoch (about 56–45 million years ago)

Fossils Found: North America (mainly USA and Canada)

Which family of animals did Eohippus belong to?

Eohippus was part of the family Equidae, making it an early member of the horse family. It is a distant ancestor of modern horses, zebras, and donkeys.

What other animals lived at the same time as Eohippus?

During the Eocene, Eohippus shared its habitat with ancient primates, early carnivorous mammals, and other odd-toed ungulates. The world was much warmer and wetter, with lots of forests and strange animals.

Eohippus FAQ

Q1: What were Eohippus?

Eohippus was a small, early horse that lived during the Eocene epoch. It is one of the earliest known ancestors of modern horses.

Q2: What did Eohippus look like?

A2: Eohippus looked like a small, dog-sized animal with a slim body, long tail, and padded feet with several toes. It did not look much like today’s horses!

Q3: How big was Eohippus?

A3: It was about 60 centimetres long, 30–40 centimetres tall at the shoulder, and weighed between 5 and 10 kilograms.

Q4: What did Eohippus eat?

A4: Eohippus ate soft leaves, fruit, and low-growing plants in the forests and woodlands.

Q5: Where did Eohippus live?

A5: Fossils have been found in North America, in areas that were once ancient forests.

Q6: When did Eohippus go extinct?

A6: Eohippus disappeared about 45 million years ago as it slowly evolved into larger, more horse-like animals over millions of years.

Q7: Why did Eohippus have so many toes?

A7: Its multiple toes and padded feet helped it move easily through the soft, leafy ground of its forest home, giving it speed and agility.

Q8: How is Eohippus related to modern animals?

A8: Eohippus is an ancient ancestor of modern horses, zebras, and donkeys. Over time, it evolved into larger horses with fewer toes.

Q9: Who discovered Eohippus?

A9: Fossils of Eohippus were first described by scientist Richard Owen in 1841. The name Eohippus was given later, in 1876, by Othniel C. Marsh.

Q10: Are there any complete skeletons of Eohippus?

A10: Several well-preserved skeletons and fossils of Eohippus have been found, allowing scientists to study its shape and way of life.