Hoplitomeryx

During the Tertiary Period (65 – 2.5 million years ago), sea levels regularly rose and fell. This created islands. On an island, the relationship between prey and predator was very different than on the mainland. Animal species that were usually small got the opportunity to evolve into larger animals. This deer-like animal (Hoplitomeryx) is a good example. As a result of its isolation on Gargano Island, it acquired a different appearance: 5 horns. Deer normally have antlers with two branches.