Page 99 - Prehistoric Animals

For-Oos-Racus

Phorusrhacos

Phorusrhacos* (Rag thief) is an extinct genus of gi-
ant flightless terror birds that lived during the Pleistocene
epoch, 3 million to 11,700 years ago. They stood about 2 to
3 metres tall, and weighed around 130 kilograms. It inhab-
ited South America and was one of the dominant land
predators in the region at that time.

Phorusrhacos was a large flightless predatory bird.
Over the years it has come to be known by its nickname;
‘Terror bird’. It earned this nickname, through studies car-
ried out on a present day bird and a close relative of
Phororhacos; the Seriema bird. Like Phorusrhacos , it’s a
fast mover and on catching its prey, it smashes it on the
ground breaking its bones and killing it. If it doesn’t die
immediately, the Seriema bird brings its beak down driv-
ing it into its victims scull. Once dead, it then rips it apart
with its long sharp talons and beak.

The Seriema bird is a relatively small bird as was its
prey. Phorusrhacos on the other hand, was big. It had a big
head, 65 centimetres long, that supported a huge hooked
beak. It was flightless, but still had small wings that had
long claws attached, these could be used for grabbing or
clinging on to objects. It had very powerful legs that would
have enables it to run and move very fast. On its feet were
three long sharp talons, ideal for subduing and ripping its
prey. Phorusrhacos was a big powerful bird and it had all
the tools to make it an awesome and feared predator.

As with most animals with a hooked beak and sharp
claws Phorusrhacos is believed to have been a carnivore.
However there is no proof or evidence of what constituted
its diet. Piles of broken animal bones found in the areas it
populated have convinced many these were remains of
meals left by Phorusrhacos. Another area of mystery is its
disappearance. Some think it was new more adapt preda-
tors entering its area, maybe targeting Phorusrhacos itself
that brought about its extinction. The truth is no one really
knows. So for the moment at least the diet and extinction
of Phorusrhacos will continue to be matters of speculation

*Phorusrhacos was first named by Florentino Ameghino in 1887 but due to
misunderstandings about the actual Greek translation he renamed it in 1889 to
Phororhacos. However under the rule ‘First named takes priority’, Phororhacos was
rejected, and never used.