Aepycamelus is an extinct genus of camelid, formerly called Alticamelus which lived during the Miocene 20.6-4.9 Ma existing for approximately15.7 million years.[1]
Its name is derived from the Homeric Greek αἰπύς, "high and steep" and κάμελος - "camel"; thus, "high camel"; alticamelus in Latin. Aepycamelus walked on its toes only. Unlike earlier species of camelid, they possessed cushioned pads like those of modern camels.[2]
Aepycamelus was a prairie dweller of North America (Colorado, etc). It was a highly specialized animal. Its head was relatively small compared with the rest of its body, its neck was long, as a result of giraffe-like lengthening of the cervical vertebrae, and its legs were long and stilt-like, with the elbow and knee joints on the same level. The top of its head would have been about 3 metres (9.8 ft) above the ground.[2]
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