What specific function is hypothesized for the flattened front edge of the *Coelodonta antiquitatis* frontal horn?
Answer
Sweeping away snow to uncover buried vegetation
Paleontologists hypothesize that the specific shape of the Woolly Rhino's massive frontal horn—which was elongated, flattened, and often curved backward—suggests it was heavily utilized for practical environmental tasks. Specifically, the flattened front edge is theorized to have been perfectly suited for sweeping away snow cover on the steppes. This activity was critical for survival, as it allowed the animal to uncover the tough, abrasive grasses that constituted its primary food source during harsh winters in the Ice Age environment.
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The MANY Interpretations of the Woolly Rhino! (Coelodonta)
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What specific function is hypothesized for the flattened front edge of the *Coelodonta antiquitatis* frontal horn?What dietary classification defines the Woolly Rhinoceros, *Coelodonta antiquitatis*?How did the insulating strategy of the Woolly Rhino compare to that of the Woolly Mammoth regarding fat layers?How did the overall bulk of the Woolly Rhino compare to the modern White Rhinoceros?What structural characteristic of the Woolly Rhino's legs aided navigation on uneven or slippery terrain?What shape characterized the molar crowns of the Woolly Rhinoceros, indicative of its abrasive diet?How did the premaxilla structure in *Coelodonta antiquitatis* differ from its modern relatives, and what linked this difference?What two distinct components made up the thick exterior layer providing insulation for the Woolly Rhino?How did the shape of the Woolly Rhino's primary frontal horn contrast functionally with those of many modern species?What was the estimated average weight range for an adult male Woolly Rhinoceros?