*EXTINCT*
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Facts and Knowledge:
One of several species of huge, hairy, elephant like creatures, the now extinct mammoth roamed the earth until as recently as 10,000 years ago. Slightly larger than today's elephants, with far longer tusks, up to 16 ft long, mammoths survived arctic temperatures, thanks to extra fat stores and hairy coats. Evidence suggests they existed in large numbers, crossing the tundra in huge herds, searching for food.
Diet: Mammoths were entirely herbivorous, or plant eating. The remains of hornbeam and hazel plants have been found in the stomach contents of mammoths. Their teeth became well worn from chewing such food. In fact, mammoths teeth were almost identical to those of today's elephants. Mammoths living furthest north had a more difficult time finding plants to feed on because of the frozen ground. Their fat, which was especially thick around the shoulders, was used as a emergency store of food.
Predators: The enormous size of full grown mammoths meant that only the most fearless predators would date to attack them. an hunted mammoths with spears and axes, putting the carcasses to a variety of uses. After they had eaten the flesh, they would use the hide for clothing and for stretching over huts, which were often built with the bones and tusks. The fearsome saber toothed tiger shared the hairy mammoths environment and probably preyed on its young. The tiger could easily have overpowered small mammoth calves. Packs of an early species of dire wolf were probably the only threat to the safety of an adult mammoth besides man.
Breeding: Mammoth's many similarities to today's elephants help scientist to guess fairly accurately about mammoth reproduction. Single calves were probably born after gestating period of 22 months. Well developed social systems helped to ensure long periods of post natal care. Sexual maturity ws reached after 10 to 12 years.
Key Facts: Sizes, Weight, breeding, lifestyle, related Species
Height:: 12 feet
Weight: 13,225 to 15,450 lb
Tusks: Up to 16 ft
Breeding:
Sexual Maturity: 10 to 12 years
Gestation: 22 Months
Number of Young: 1
Life Span: Up to 60 years
Habit: Social
Other Mammoths: M. meridionalius evolved
in the open woodlands of southern Europe about 2 million years ago. It
resembled the modern Indain elephant. M. trogontherii of central
Europe was probably one of the first mammoths to develope a protective
hairy coat.
Where and when they lived: Remains have
been found in Siberia, northern Europe, northern Eurasia, and North America.
Mammoths existed untio about ten thousand years ago.
Arctic Neighbor: The mammoth shared
the Arctic wasts of eastern Asia and Europe with the woolly rhinoceros
Coelodonta.
Did you know:
A few complete specimens of mammoth have been
discovered deep frozen in the ice of the Arctic tundra.
Guests at a modern scientific banquet were served
small portions of mammoth steak, taken from animal's frozen for thousands
of years.
Minors in Alaska still find mammoth fossil remains
regularly.
So man remains of the mammoth have been found
tat there is still a small trade in mammoth ivory in parts of siberia.
Because of the cold climate it lived in, the
mammoths ears were much smaller than today's elephants.