Prehistoric Life
How long was Macrauchenia patachonica?
An adult Macrauchenia patachonica had a body length of about 3 m (9 ft 10 in).
What is measured: adult body length
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How big is that, really?
- About 2 would fit end to end along a 20-foot shipping container
- About 4 would fit end to end along a city bus
- About 1.5× the height of a doorway
- About 1.8× the height of an adult person
- About 7 would fit end to end along a tennis court
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Facts about Macrauchenia patachonica
Macrauchenia was a South American native mammal with a long neck and nostrils positioned high on its head, possibly above a short trunk.
Source: American Museum of Natural History — Macrauchenia; Museo de La Plata — Macrauchenia
Prehistoric Life
Compared with other prehistoric animals and plants
| Name | Size | Compared with Macrauchenia patachonica |
|---|---|---|
| Arthropleura armata | 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in) | 0.87× |
| Mammut americanum | 2.9 m (9 ft 6 in) | 0.97× |
| Hieraaetus moorei | 3 m (9 ft 10 in) | same size |
| Mussaurus patagonicus | 3 m (9 ft 10 in) | same size |
| Aepyornis maximus | 3 m (9 ft 10 in) | same size |
| Kelenken guillermoi | 3 m (9 ft 10 in) | same size |
| Macrauchenia patachonica | 3 m (9 ft 10 in) | this page |
| Gigantopithecus blacki | 3 m (9 ft 10 in) | same size |
| Glyptodon clavipes | 3.3 m (11 ft) | 1.1× |
| Arctodus simus | 3.4 m (11 ft) | 1.1× |
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