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Perissodactyls were represented by a lot more species millions of years ago (in the Paleogene and Neogene periods). There are far fewer species alive (only 15) today, any of which are threatened.
The order Perissodactyla includes: Horses, Rhinoceroses and Tapirs. Characteristics of this order are:
Families in this order include: Equidae – Horses -6 species Tapiridae -Tapirs -4 species Rhinocerotidae – Rhinoceroses -5 species
There are six living species including horses, Asses and Zebras. All have long legs.
Equus asinus - the Wild Ass, native to north & north east Africa
Equus caballus -the wild horse (ancestor of the domestic horse) native to Europe through to central Asia
Equus hemionus -the half ass, from the middle east through to north western India.
Equus quagga - the plains zebra
Equus zebra -the mountain zebra
Equus grevyi - Greys Zebra
There are four living species of tapirs; three coming from Asia, one from central America and two from South America. These are:
Tapirus terrestris - the Lowland Tapir
Tapirus bairdii - the Baird's Tapir
Tapirus pinchaque - the MountainTapir
Tapirus indicus - the Malayan Tapir
They are pig like animals in appearance with a snout that is like a short trunk, and a coat of short stiff hairs. They inhabit woodland or semi amphibious forests.
Tapirs have four hooved toes on the forefeet and three on the hind feet.
There are five living species of Rhinoceros, two being indigenous to Africa and three from Asia. They are large animals with a thick skin, nearly hairless, and have horn like structures on the head.
Dicerorhinus sumatrensis - Sumatran Rhino
Diceros bicornis - Black Rhino
Ceratotherium simum - White Rhino
Rhinoceros sondaicus - avan Rhino
Rhinoceros unicornis -Indian or Greater One Horned Rhino
Pictured: Southern White Rhinoceros