What anatomical feature links *Ceratotherium simum* to Order Perissodactyla?
Answer
Bearing their weight primarily on one toe.
The placement of the white rhinoceros in the Order Perissodactyla directly reflects a unique anatomical configuration of its limbs, which gives the order its common name: odd-toed ungulates. This classification signifies that the animal bears the majority of its substantial body weight through one central toe on each foot. This contrasts sharply with the even-toed ungulates, such as cattle and deer, which belong to the Order Artiodactyla and distribute their weight across two toes. This odd-toed structure dictates specific evolutionary pathways related to limb mechanics, gait, and how digestive processing systems adapted to their herbivorous diets.
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