Palaeotheriid characteristics:
* Size: 1.5–2.5 meters (4 ft 11 in–8 ft 2 in) long
* Weight: 200–400 kilograms (440–880 lb)
* Diet: leaves and twigs
* Habitat: forests and woodlands
* Range: North America and Europe
* Time period: Eocene to Oligocene
Palaeotheriids are known from the Eocene and Oligocene epochs of Europe and North America. They were the dominant herbivores in their environment and played an important role in the spread of plants.
Palaeotheres had three toes on each foot and a long, prehensile tail. They were short-necked and had large heads with broad snouts. Their teeth were well-suited for grinding plants.
Palaeotheriids were social animals and lived in herds. They were preyed upon by predators such as saber-toothed cats and hyaenodonts.