Astrapotheria

(paleontology) A relatively small order of large, extinct South American mammals in the infraclass Eutheria.

A relatively small group of extinct South American ungulates, ranging from the late Paleocene to the late Miocene. They are customarily divided into two suborders: the late Paleocene–Eocene Trigonostylopoidea, and the early Eocene–late Miocene Astrapotheroidea.

One of the most spectacular and advanced members of the order was Astrapotherium (see illustration). This animal, known from the late Oligocene to the late Miocene, averaged 9–10 ft (2.7–3 m) in length, although some other forms grew even larger. The anterior part of the skull was striking with the huge, persistently growing, curving canines, whose function is unexplained. The retracted, chopped-off appearance of the snout region strongly suggests that this animal had a moderately large trunk. The front legs were somewhat more strongly constructed than the hind ones, and this makes the habits of this animal a puzzle. See also Mammalia.

Astrapotherium magnum skeleton.