Elasmotherium caucasicum

Here is the finished full-colour version of Elasmotherium caucasicum, the giant unicorn, the sketch version of which you can see here: [link]. This was the largest known species of Elasmotherium, reaching perhaps 4.5 tonnes in weight. There are many unknowns about this giant prehistoric rhino. Reconstructions vary from smooth-skinned to furry; I chose furry (like many other reconstructions) because this species seems to have lived on cold steppes. The brown colour I chose is similar to other hairy rhinos like the Sumatran rhino and the extinct woolly rhinos. The legs are fairly long, indicating that this huge rhino could probably still gallop fast. The horn is speculative; no fossils of it have been found but I am sure this rhino had a horn since the big bump on its skull's forehead region is similar to other rough bumps underlying the horns of living rhino species. Also, the long vertebrae of the neck and upper back indicate a huge hump of powerful muscles, which would have been necessary for lifting and moving the heavy head and horn.