The Ogallala in the park contains very few fossils. A giant tortoise was found near the bend where the road begins to descend into the canyon. Fossil seeds may be seen in the exposure of the Ogallala near the Coronado Lodge.
More extensive Late Pliocene fossil beds are exposed south of the park in Cita Canyon. These beds are younger than the Ogallala and are stream and basin deposits. The fauna and flora found here suggest a broad, flat, grassy plain much like the present landscape ([Figure 8]). Remains of mastodons, large, elephant-like animals with long upper tusks that were used to dig up roots, are found here. Saber-tooth cats, also present, preyed upon the mastodons. The remains of these, as well as bones of camels, pony-sized horses, and sloths 10 feet high have been found in the vicinity of the canyon. Some of these animals are thought to have lived in the Panhandle a mere 10,000 years ago.
Figure 8.
Amebelodon: shovel-tusked mastodon Teleoceras: short-legged rhinoceros Synthetoceras: snout-horned even-toed hoofed mammal Cranioceras: cranial-horned even-toed hoofed mammal Merycodus: extinct pronghorn antelope Hypolagus: extinct rabbit Epigaulus: burrowing horned rodent Aphelops: long-legged rhinoceros Prosthennops: extinct peccary Osteoborus: short-faced dog Pseudaelurus: extinct cat Hemicyon: bearlike dog Procamelus: llamalike camel Megatylopus: giant camel Pliohippus: ancestral one-toed horse Neohipparion: extinct three-toed horse
FIGURE 22.41 Pliocene Mammals. Early Pliocene life of the southern High Plains. (Mural by J. H. Matternes, courtesy U.S. National Museum.)
Due to limited outcrops in the Canyon proper, Pleistocene fossils are very rare. An excellent collection of fossils from Palo Duro Canyon and the Panhandle area is on display at the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum.
Spectacular Palo Duro, “grand canyon” of the Panhandle Plains, is an exciting experience. One of the nation’s most magnificent scenic attractions, it provides delightful drives and opportunities for hiking, horseback riding and camping in season. Visit Palo Duro and enjoy it.