Phorusrhacos, Smilodons and Macrauchenia in ancient Argentina 2 million years ago. - Stock-Grafiken

Northern Argentina about 2 million years ago. When a land bridge formed between North and South America there were species that moved south and north. In the south, the dominant predator had been the giant terror birds. Representing these viscious birds in this image is Phorusrhacos. The large Smilodons of North America, however, wandered into the south and over time became the dominant predator eventually displacing the giant flightless birds. An unusual looking quadroped of the time was Macrauchenia. Looking like a cross between a camel and tapir. They were common among the Pampas plains of that period.