Story perspectives

New Frosty Rhino Species Discovered in Arctic Fossil

10/29/2025

Summary

Story summary

Researchers identified a new extinct rhino species, Epiatheracerium itjilik, dating to 23 million years ago in the Haughton Crater, Devon Island (Canada's High Arctic).
The nearly complete fossil includes about 75% of the skeleton and marks the northernmost rhino known.
It suggests these rhinos crossed a North Atlantic land bridge from Europe later than previously believed, shaping our understanding of rhino evolution.
The name itjilik means 'frosty' in Inuktitut.

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Story summary

Researchers identified a new extinct rhino species, Epiatheracerium itjilik, dating to 23 million years ago in the Haughton Crater, Devon Island (Canada's High Arctic).
The nearly complete fossil includes about 75% of the skeleton and marks the northernmost rhino known.
It suggests these rhinos crossed a North Atlantic land bridge from Europe later than previously believed, shaping our understanding of rhino evolution.
The name itjilik means 'frosty' in Inuktitut.