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Animal Spotlight
January 2002
"I am the Kaleidoscope of the mind. I impart light, color and perpetual motion. I think, I see, I am moved by electric fluidity. Constant only in my inconstancy. I am unshackled by mundane holds, Unchecked by sturdy, binding goals. I run unimpeded through virgin paths. My spirit unconquered -- My soul forever free, I am the Horse!" - Twilight Zone's Chinese Horoscope
In celebration of the Chinese New Year of the Horse, the NSVRs have put up 3 posters in place of the existing rhino posters at the Rangers' Station to share some valuable knowledge of this noble animal. The following are the contents of the horse posters.
Of Origin of the Horse The Horse belongs to the group Perissodactyla (odd-toed ungulates) which also includes the Rhinoceros and the Tapir. The ancestor of the horse was called Eohippus or the Dawn Horse. It lived about 50 million years ago and was only the size of a hare!! In those prehistoric times, the Earth was covered with thick forests. The forests gradually disappeared and gave way to open grasslands. The horse had to evolve to survive in the grasslands. Over millions of years, it gradually became larger and grew longer legs. Its teeth evolved to eat tough grass instead of soft leaves. Then one million years ago, a horse called the Equus appeared. This animal most resembles the modern day horse.
Classification of the Horse
The Horse, Rhino, and Tapir all trace back to a single ancestor that lived about 60 millions years ago. That ancestor looked like the modern day tapir but was much smaller. Unlike the horse and rhino that came out to live in the grasslands, the tapir stayed behind in the forests and remained primitive looking as before. If you have the time and chance, hop on the tram after duty and take a look at the Malayan Tapirs that are currently residing at the West Loop of Night Safari.
Do you know? …….. that the Dawn Horse had toes instead of hooves? It had 4 toes on each fore limb and 3 toes on each hind limb! They were suitable for walking on the then soft forest ground. As the environment changed into open grasslands, they had to run faster to escape predators. Their legs grew longer and they began to run on the tips of their toes! Later they ran only on their middle toes which became covered with tough hooves to make them hardier. The side toes became redundant and they shrank to merge into the hoof bone. P.S. As the horse grew taller due to longer legs, the neck too became longer to reach the grass on the ground. The horse also has a rather long face so that it can still keep a constant lookout above the grass it is eating in case of danger.
Do YOU know ……WHY horses wear shoes today? Check your answer amongst the rhino exhibits in the showcase at the Rangers’ Station. Note: This question is being posed to the guests who read the posters so do ensure that you know how to explain if they approach you for the answers. The hooves of horses are constantly growing and being worn down as they move about in the wild. Horses spend most of their time grazing or resting. They only move or gallop when in danger or in search of food. Hence the rates which the hooves grow and wear down were originally on par. When man (early Romans) domesticated the horse and made them move along roads, the hooves wore down faster than they grew. Hence man invented horse shoes to protect the hooves and to prevent the horse from becoming lame. The hooves are constantly growing so the horse must have its shoes removed once in a while and have the hooves trimmed (similar to trimming of our fingernails) to keep them in shape. The person who does this job of shoeing and hoof care is called the Farrier. Get it? Can you explain this to the guests now? ^_^
Let's look at the historical roles of horses.
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