The Woolly Rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis) is an extinct species of rhinoceros that survived the last ice age. It lived on the northern steppes of Eurasia, whereas its relative the Giant Unicorn had a more southern range. It had a flat horn that enabled it to push aside snow in order to graze.
This plant-eater was about 11 feet (3.5 m) long. It had two horns on its snout, the lower one larger than the one between its eyes (about 3 feet (1 m) long). It had long hair, small ears, short, thick legs, and a stocky body.
It was hunted by early humans, who probably caused its extinction. Its shape is known from prehistoric cave drawings.
Several rhinoceros species became extinct within geologically recent times, notably the Giant Unicorn and the Woolly Rhinoceros in Eurasia: the extent to which climate change or human predation was responsible is debated.
Rhinoceros horns are used in traditional Asian medicine, and for dagger handles in Yemen and Oman.
None of the five rhinoceros species have secure futures: the White Rhino is perhaps the least endangered, the Javanese Rhino survives in only tiny numbers (estimated at 60 animals in 2002) and is one of the two or three most endangered large mammals anywhere in the world.
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