The Platybelodon, an ancestor of the elephant.

The Platybelodon was one of the ancestors that gave rise to modern elephants, though not unique, but so is the strangest appearance.

The Platybelodon was herbivorous, and like the current hippos, spent much time in the swamp water where they feed on aquatic plants. One of the most curious features of this animal from the Miocene was his two bottom teeth shovel-shaped. Two teeth were disproportionately long and wide, however, the teeth (protruding into the mammoths, mastodons and elephants) were small and insignificant.

Another use of these teeth is lower than was to grab the trunk and branches, serrated rubbing against the lower teeth to cut the tree.

Robust and heavy as a small elephant, it can weigh over a ton and a half and could grow to 2 meters high. As I said before, lived during the Miocene, from 15-4 million years, and lived in Africa, Europe, Asia and North America. Although it thrived during his time, did not survive beyond the Miocene. Although no one knows exactly why he died.
In any case, this curious animal, this ancestor of the elephant, the mastodon or mammoth, is an example of the diversity and richness of fauna in prehistoric times.