Dromad Antelopes

The family Dromadidae is a family of antelope that somewhat resemble the prehistoric Hyracotherium. However, in spite of their horse-like appearance, these are descendants of antelope. They have the cloven hooves of antelope. The tails are mostly long and tapered, usually with a tassel at the end. They are fast creatures, and even bound and prong like antelope do today. There are no sub-family rankings, but these antelope are found throughout most of the World. They are all active during the day.

The smallest species in this family are of the genus Dromada and Coelognathus. These are very tiny, lightweight ungulates. The largest of them are no bigger than a miniature poodle. The smaller species are mostly forest-dwellers that feed on any lush green vegetation they may find, which is abundant in their habitat. They live in small groups, usually no more than about 10 individuals. Coelognathus fills in the niche in the old world that Dromada fills in the new world. When a pradator is spotted, the guard sends a signal to the group by way of a loud shrill and this urges the other animals to take flight. For such tiny animals, they are astonishing leapers, and as they are running will usually leap and bound over boulders and fallen trees in an attempt to lose a persuing predator. The sense of smell is very poor, no better than in humans. But the hearing is very acute and they can hear the slightest footfall of a predator, even a silent one like the large viverrids, even amongst all the bussle and noise in the forests.

The largest species are in Basilotragus. The largest of these species are as big as modern rhinos, only much more lightly built. They trot more like camels than like antelope. The expression is more horse-like than in other species. The larger species of Dromadids live in herds of between 15 to 50 individuals. The main predators of this family are the Deinognathids and larger mongooses. However any carnivorous mammal that can overpower them can take them down. These antelope however are very fast, and the larger species can defend themselves by powerful kicks. They have no horns or tusks however to use as weapons. They are sharp animals and highly alert. The sense of smell is very poor in all species, but the sight and hearing are superb senses. Like most mammals of this era, these antelope are odorless, so any hunting or detecting by smell is useless.