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Contrary to popular belief, Unicorns are not related to horses but instead are descended from the Siberian Unicorn.
Over time:
Given these characteristics, how plausible is this and what evolutionary pressure would lead them down such a path?
NOTE: magic dose not exist in my story.
They could have evolved white fur coat if they had moved to a snowy climate, as to blend in with the snow.
They also might evolve hooves because, like horses, having just one toe reduced the weight they had to carry at the end of each leg, making it easier for them to run and maneuver.
Evolving similarly to mountain goats could produce some cool traits. * Unlike horses, goats have hooves comprised of two split toes. (I thought two hoof-toes could be an interesting delineation between horses and unicorns) The toes can operate independently, the goat can use just one to gain purchase on extremely narrow surfaces, or splay the toes to gain more contact area. A cushy sole provides traction on sloped surfaces and can deform inwards to absorb irregularities in the terrain. * Some mountain goats can also see movement up to a mile away. * Being smaller and lighter could help with climbing on weaker rocks.
Completely Plausible
Evolution has shaped the odd-toed ungulates into incredibly diverse forms, consider how different the ancient ancestors of the horse were, or how diverse the rhinoceros family was in the Eocene.
Every trait you gave for the Elasmothere descendant is rather straightforward, the fur can change due to environment or sexual selection, size can be reduced due to changes in available food or the climate, eyesight can be selected for, and manes are an easy example of sexual selection
They became arctic predators
Perhaps due to increasingly low temperature, or some other phenomena, the Siberian Unicorn's normal sources of nutrition started to die off, forcing them to turn to become omnivorous in order to survive.
If we assume they started eating meat as a large part of their diet, then the smaller size, arctic camouflage, and better eyesight make tons of sense.
Horses evolved to run. For a rhino to take on more horse-like proportions would probably require evolutionary pressure toward speed. Maybe a very agile predator that was good at getting behind the horn. Or a pack hunter, where if the rhino holds one off with the horn, two others strike its back. This might also force improved eyesight and snowy camoflauge.
The predator needs to be able to reliably penetrate the rhino's tough hide. Probably a very long claw or tooth.
You could also use the ladybug approach.
The unicorn is poisonous prey animal and wants to be seen. They develop white fur and glittery manes, put up a good fight, and when eaten, harms the predator. Predators learn that they are unpleasant to be around and avoid herds of them.
