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Giant rhino roamed the earth 25 million years ago

A newly-found species of one of the biggest mammals on Earth has been identified from fossils found several years ago in north west China. It's a species of giant rhino (Paraceratherium linxiaense) and dates back 25 million years. 

These huge herbivores were as big as three or four elephants and once roamed over a large area, eating vast quantities of vegetation.  Pierre-Olivier Antoine, a rhino paleontologist at France's Montpellier University, has reviewed the study. He says the animals were as tall as 5 metres and ate up to a tonne of leaves every day.

Illustration: An artist's impression of the giant rhino - Paraceratherium linxiaense Credit: Yu Chen

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