Some prehistoric horses were homebodies

Geochemical analysis of fossil teeth shows horses in Florida did not make epic migrations

Date:  December 19, 2018

Source:  University of Cincinnati

Summary:

A strontium analysis of fossilized horse teeth from Florida found that the animals did not travel far from where they were born. Researchers also found evidence that prehistoric horses fed along the coast like wild horses do today at places like Assateague Island National Seashore.

Unlike today's zebras, prehistoric horses in parts of North America did not make epic migrations to find food or fresh water, according to a new study by the University of Cincinnati.

The findings suggest Florida was something of a horse paradise 5 million years ago, providing everything the animals could want in a relatively small area.

The study was published in the journal Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology.

Plains zebras and Mongolian wild horses take on epic migrations each year to find water or green grass.

The Mongolian wild horse, also known as a Przewalski's horse, travels as much as 13 miles per day. And Burchell's zebras in southern Africa are known for their seasonal migrations that take them as far as 300 miles and back as they follow the rains to green grass.

But geologists in UC's McMicken College of Arts and Sciences found that prehistoric horses in coastal Florida lived and died within a comparatively small area.

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