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WillemSvdMerwe β€” Elasmotherium caucasicum

Published: 2013-02-12 08:55:09 +0000 UTC; Views: 20278; Favourites: 402; Downloads: 256
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Description 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.
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Comments: 69

WillemSvdMerwe In reply to ??? [2019-11-05 16:59:46 +0000 UTC]

Hello!Β  I think you're right, modern rhinos gallop very well, they're basically just giant horses!

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creodont In reply to WillemSvdMerwe [2019-11-06 01:27:39 +0000 UTC]

Except their babies are way cuter.

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WillemSvdMerwe In reply to creodont [2019-11-06 18:06:10 +0000 UTC]

Yes indeed!

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creodont In reply to WillemSvdMerwe [2019-11-07 04:11:05 +0000 UTC]

Now I'm wondering what an Elasmotherium baby looks like.

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ALCHEMlST [2018-12-04 13:59:08 +0000 UTC]

I found you! Hey there I made a little animation featuring this great piece of art of yours, it has taken me since all the news articles have been going around to track you down!
I retroactively ask permission to use an edited version of this image in the following piece of art please?
www.instagram.com/p/Bqvd5K_gwj…

Credit and link to here will be added to description right now...

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WillemSvdMerwe In reply to ALCHEMlST [2018-12-05 17:08:13 +0000 UTC]

Hiya!Β  Well that is fine by me, no prob!

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ALCHEMlST In reply to WillemSvdMerwe [2018-12-05 18:34:30 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much!
I love your art, would you allow me permission to use other pictures in similar animations?
I have nothing planned yet but you have so many wonderful creatures I would happily put in little animation loops.
If you prefer I can ask on each picture individually if I come across one I want to use. I of course would always let you know when I have used a picture and link back to the original.
Β 

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WillemSvdMerwe In reply to ALCHEMlST [2018-12-06 17:09:17 +0000 UTC]

Go ahead, I'd prefer if you told me about each one, and so long as you credit me!

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ALCHEMlST In reply to WillemSvdMerwe [2018-12-08 14:09:18 +0000 UTC]

No problem!

Thanks again!

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Hrule [2018-11-28 11:57:59 +0000 UTC]

Hi, I am journalist for Croatian daily 24sata. May we use this image, as is used in Nature article, with credit.Β 
Thanks

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WillemSvdMerwe In reply to Hrule [2018-11-28 18:45:13 +0000 UTC]

Hi, yes, you may!

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Reborn-Taltos [2016-04-18 14:36:04 +0000 UTC]

Magnificent beast!

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WillemSvdMerwe In reply to Reborn-Taltos [2016-04-18 19:10:55 +0000 UTC]

Thanks, glad you think so!

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PoshPegasus [2015-03-18 19:29:18 +0000 UTC]

You came to the same conclusion I have! That probably is the "unicorn!"Β 

Elasmotherium - Unicorn

Basilisk - Cobra

Phoenix - Secretary Bird

I just thought of my next project!

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WillemSvdMerwe In reply to PoshPegasus [2015-03-18 20:35:01 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for the comment!Β  Well I'm not sure there's always a real-life inspiration for legendary critters ... or at least not always just a single one.

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PoshPegasus In reply to WillemSvdMerwe [2015-03-18 21:19:02 +0000 UTC]

For the unicorn yes. But for the basilisk, it's alive and real! The earliest descriptions of it were of a snake of India the length of a man that had folds of skin it could extend. It could also raise half it's body off the ground and if you looked it in the eye it would blind you!
King Cobra!

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Winmor [2015-01-24 17:45:17 +0000 UTC]

Looks so real, especially the eye! Great work, again! Thanks. Β 

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WillemSvdMerwe In reply to Winmor [2015-01-24 20:56:25 +0000 UTC]

Thanks very much, glad you like it!

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Rhinos-Rule [2014-11-20 19:25:45 +0000 UTC]

No, thank you!Β 

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Rhinos-Rule [2014-11-20 02:43:41 +0000 UTC]

Fabulous artwork sir, this terrific artwork makes me feel like I'm looking at the real Elasmotherium, what a distinctive masterpiece this is!

I'm a big fan of many stupendous artists on this site, and you're amongst them

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WillemSvdMerwe In reply to Rhinos-Rule [2014-11-20 18:14:23 +0000 UTC]

Aw thank you very much!

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Pelycosaur24 [2014-05-16 18:55:44 +0000 UTC]

Wow,awesome work!

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WillemSvdMerwe In reply to Pelycosaur24 [2014-05-17 19:58:13 +0000 UTC]

Thanks very much!

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Burgald [2014-02-23 16:00:23 +0000 UTC]

Great work there!

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WillemSvdMerwe In reply to Burgald [2014-02-23 18:12:12 +0000 UTC]

Thanks very much!

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Burgald In reply to WillemSvdMerwe [2014-02-23 18:22:44 +0000 UTC]

Youre welcome sir!

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AAydar [2013-11-21 16:07:44 +0000 UTC]

ELASMOTHERIUM HORN Β ___ RARE ___ Β RUSSIA Β Β elasmotherium.blogspot.ru/

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WillemSvdMerwe In reply to AAydar [2013-11-21 19:59:55 +0000 UTC]

Wow, is that authentic?Β  I didn't even know there was Elasmotherium cave art!Β  It looks like it might have had stripes!

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AAydar In reply to WillemSvdMerwe [2013-12-25 02:26:14 +0000 UTC]

Hi, send me your address. I will send you the real pictures.

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Hybodus [2013-11-18 10:14:57 +0000 UTC]

Nicely done. I like this reconstruction. Elasmotherium sure was a magnificent beast.

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WillemSvdMerwe In reply to Hybodus [2013-11-18 20:21:03 +0000 UTC]

Thanks a lot!

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Hybodus In reply to WillemSvdMerwe [2013-11-20 19:55:56 +0000 UTC]

You are welcome!

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Fizap [2013-08-22 15:43:58 +0000 UTC]

10/10 would ride into battle

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WillemSvdMerwe In reply to Fizap [2013-08-22 19:05:28 +0000 UTC]

You can ride him bro, I'll pass!

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SameerPrehistorica [2013-06-09 02:36:36 +0000 UTC]

well done..

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WillemSvdMerwe In reply to SameerPrehistorica [2013-06-09 20:16:14 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much!

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emizael [2013-04-28 13:02:30 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful!

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WillemSvdMerwe In reply to emizael [2013-04-28 18:49:10 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much!

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painted-wolfs-den [2013-02-14 00:56:41 +0000 UTC]

I love how your stuff harkens back to classic illustrations.

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WillemSvdMerwe In reply to painted-wolfs-den [2013-02-14 08:54:47 +0000 UTC]

Thanks a lot! I am a big fan of old-school illustrators.

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Zimices [2013-02-14 00:00:27 +0000 UTC]

Great work, really looks imposing By the way, do you know if E. caucasicum and E. sibiricum are the same thing?

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WillemSvdMerwe In reply to Zimices [2013-02-14 08:53:55 +0000 UTC]

Hello there, thanks! As far as I can tell E. caucasicum is older then E. sibiricum, and also larger, so they do seem to be different. I used this skeleton attributed to E. caucasicum to refer to for my illustration: [link]

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Zimices In reply to WillemSvdMerwe [2013-02-15 08:07:30 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome and thanks for the link

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gytalf2000 [2013-02-13 19:07:23 +0000 UTC]

That's fantastic!

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WillemSvdMerwe In reply to gytalf2000 [2013-02-13 20:04:33 +0000 UTC]

Thanks a lot!

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Viergacht [2013-02-13 10:17:39 +0000 UTC]

That's my kind of unicorn!

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WillemSvdMerwe In reply to Viergacht [2013-02-13 20:03:55 +0000 UTC]

Glad you like it!

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Paleo-reptiles [2013-02-12 23:30:42 +0000 UTC]

my web:
[link]

Best regards, Amin Khaleghparast (from Tehran, IRAN)

my Email:
keyvan_1878@yahoo.com

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WillemSvdMerwe In reply to Paleo-reptiles [2013-02-13 20:03:47 +0000 UTC]

Hi Amin, thanks for dropping by!

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Filly8 [2013-02-12 17:32:09 +0000 UTC]

You have such a beautiful style! And i love all the thought and research that goes into your works A well deserved watch!

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