Dipigata are small primitive animals that resemble rabbits rather than ungulates. Since many of these animals have five toes on their feet, it may seem inappropriate to classify them into the order Cloven-ungulates, although certain features of their skeletons suggest that other Uni-ungulates derive from them.
Name: Ancient Horde
Age: Early Eocene
Locations: Europe (France), North America (Wyoming, USA) and Asia (Pakistan)
Size: Length 50 cm (including tail)
Paleocoatl is the earliest known ungulates, with simple teeth, five toes (and like most even-ungulates, the third and fourth toes are the longest), and may have small hooves on the toes. The ancient ungulate beast lived in the forest's understory plants, feeding on the young leaves of shrubs.
The ancient cloven-hoofed beast is similar in shape and basic appearance to the elk, except that the ears are shorter and the tail is longer. Its legs are also relatively longer than rabbits, with forelimbs and hindlimbs equal length. This shape indicates that the ancient horde is good at running, rather than jumping. In fact, it is the most adapted Eocene running animal known, with joints that allow the feet to move up and down, and the foot bones and calf bones are longer than the thigh bones, which is typical of fast-running animals.