Thanks to a post on John Howell’s blog today, I came across this information on the brontothere, which I found interesting. It was a roundabout discovery, which is usually how it is for me.
Though an American paleontologist, Othniel Charles Marsh, coined the name Brontotherium, or thunder beast, the name originates in Lakota oral history. It’s what the Lakota called them because of the beast’s association with violent thunderstorms in their legends.
Brontotheres were plentiful in the Badlands National Park area during the Eocene Epoch, when the earth’s temperature was higher than it is today. Due to the abundant vegetation the creature thrived on at that time, they developed from a dog-sized creature until they stood about 8 feet tall. When the Eocene Epoch ended and the climate cooled, the vegetation the creature thrived on changed, and they died off.
Here’s a picture of the beast from Wikipedia:
I hope you found this interesting, and maybe you’d like to see Mr. Howell’s post and try to figure out how I came across this. John Howell is a talented, accomplished author whose work I have truly enjoyed.
Mr. Howell’s post:
Website: http://brchitwood.com - B R Chitwood - My Mission: Writing to Discover Me said:
Put a saddle on and let’s ride! 🙂
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Ride it right into the Badlands! 🙂
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GP said:
Thanks for going into the research on this creature.
We both enjoy John Howell’s work – great minds all think alike, eh, TW?
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T. W. Dittmer said:
I like that kind of stuff. Great minds? 🙂
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John W. Howell said:
Thank you for the link, Tim. I found your beast fascinating.
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T. W. Dittmer said:
This came from your reference to the Badlands Wall. Yes, my mind wanders that much. 🙂
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John W. Howell said:
It’s okay. Sign of genius.
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T. W. Dittmer said:
🙂
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ParentingIsFunny said:
That’s very interesting. We were at La Brea tar pits last week. Fascinating stuff. And, yes, John Howell is great. 🙂
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Yep, John writes really great novels, Betsy, and his blog has fascinating and touching posts. Thanks for dropping by. ❤
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