Review and photographs by Indohyus, edited by Suspsy
Horses have played a great roll in the history of mankind since the end of the ice ages. One of the last few large mammals alive from that time, they are found all across the world in various forms. It is unsurprising then that there has been interest in the evolution of horses, with a few being immortalized in plastic. Today’s example is Anchitherium by Bullyland. Hailing from the early Miocene of Eurasia and North America, it is a side branch in horse evolution, not related to modern horse species. Seems an odd choice for a figure, rather than one of its earlier members in my opinion, but that aside, let’s take a closer look.
At 3.9” from snout to tail and 2.4” from hoof to ear, it’s a small figure, but fitting for an animal only around 1 m tall, and fits in well with most prehistoric lines. The pose is fairly dynamic, striding forward, possibly to eat leaves or preparing to run from a predator, the choice is that of the owner. The colouring is a chestnut brown with a darker mane and tail and beige stripes on the legs. The overall pattern seems reminiscent of the African wild ass, but in a darker colour, looking quite natural overall. Oh, and this model is male. VERY male!
There isn’t a great variety of fossil evidence for Anchitherium, mostly limbs and teeth, so it seems the modellers based the figure on modern horses, thus accuracy seems to be close to a living animal. As for accuracy to the fossils, it is also pretty close. The head is accurate and the vestigial digits are present on each hoof. They maybe a little smaller than they should, but the size does generally work, if a little easy to over look.
This figure may be an odd choice to pick out of the lineage of horse evolution, but it really is a little gem. Once again, Bullyland creates a beautiful prehistoric mammal figure, well worth hunting for. There are a few of these on eBay, but being a retired figure it is hard to find and expensive when you do (though not quite as bad as Megaloceros).
Overall, it is a worthwhile grab if you can get it. You certainly won’t regret picking it up for a child or for a collection.
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It was reissued, available at http://www.urzeitshop.de/58-Bullyland. Amazing, how different the quality of Bullyland is in mammals compared to dinosaurs (while other reptiles are not too bad as well (e.g. Edaphosaurus)
That’s a cute little critter, nice to see something as offbeat as a collectable.