Idaho

=__**Idaho State Fossil: Hagerman Horse**__=

__Name:__
//Plesippus shoshonensis// formerly known as //Equus simplicidens//

__Description of the Organism:__
It is the closest relative we have found to date of Zebra's and horses. It has similar teeth structures and small details that have evolved down to today's modern horse. It's fur and mane were stiff, similar to today's Zebra. It is estimated that it's height fully grown was between 3 foot 7 inches and 4 foot 9 inches. It could have weighed anywhere from 380 to 930 pounds.

**__Picture:__**
http://www.theequinest.com/images/hagerman-horse-1.jpg

**__Time Existed:__**
The height of their existence was in North America 3.5 million years ago. Back then North America was a grassy wetland similar to Africa's savanna's today.

**__Preservation__**
The bones of the Hagerman horse were preserved by the 600 foot cliffs in Hagerman, ID, now known as the Hagerman fossil beds.

**__Who Found the Fossil / Why is it the State Fossil?__**
A local cattle rancher by the name of Elmer Cook was digging on the site of the fossil's (unknowing there were fossils there) when he discovered fossilized bones. He knew it was important, so he showed the bones to a local scientist named Dr. Harold Stearns. He needed more help, so he contacted a friend at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington. The Smithsonian quickly organized an expedition to explore the area and they discovered over 3 tons of fossils. It is the state fossil because it was discovered in Idaho, and the vast majority of the fossils discovered were from Idaho.

**__Sources:__**
The Equinest. (n.d.). Hagerman Horse or //Equus Simplicidens// -- Extinct Equidae. Retrieved from http://www.theequinest.com/equus-simplicidens/

Idaho State Historical Society. (2007, October). The Hagerman Horse. //Prospector//. Retrieved from http://www.history.idaho.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/pclub_hagerman_horse.pdf

State Symbols USA. (n.d.). Hagerman Horse. //Idaho State Fossil.// Retrieved from http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/Idaho/IdahostateFossil.html

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