Merck’s rhinoceros – also known as the forest rhinoceros – was similar in size to the woolly rhinoceros and was one of its close relatives. It lived in Europe and in Central and East Asia, in both forests and more open landscapes.

At fossil sites it is often found together with the straight-tusked elephant (Palaeoloxodon antiquus). Like the elephant, it died out during the last glaciation. It survived longest in East Asia, perhaps until as recently as about 14,000 years ago.

The remains of an exceptionally large Merck’s rhinoceros were discovered in 2016 during construction of an expressway in Gorzów Wielkopolski, western Poland. The animal stood more than 1.8 metres at the shoulder, and its diet included hazel, hornbeam, mistletoe and birch.

Neanderthals hunted Merck’s rhinoceroses and used their bones and teeth as tools.