Key Information
Mastodon
| Species | Mammut Americanum |
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 10 ft |
| Length | 12 to 13 ft |
| Weight | 7 to 11 tonnes |
| Timescale | Late Miocene to Early Holocene |
| Classification | Mammalia > Proboscidea > Mammutidae |
Learning Point
- Mastodons were long-lived giants, roaming Earth for several million years until their extinction around 10,000 years ago. Reaching up to 11 feet tall at the shoulder, these elephant relatives were herbivores with distinctive tusks. Mastodons are often confused with mammoths, but differed in their tusk curvature and preferred diet. Their legacy lives on through their impressive fossils, offering a glimpse into these remarkable prehistoric creatures.
Project
- Draw a herd of Mastodons walking through the plains.
- Overview
- X-Ray
- Comparison
Location
| Confirmed | North America |
Fun Facts
- Unlike mammoths with their curved tusks, mastodons had straighter tusks perfect for stripping bark and leaves from trees.
- Unlike flat-topped molars of modern elephants, mastodons had ridged and pointed molars perfect for crunching on twigs, branches, and other tough plant material.
- There is much debate as to whether the mastodons really had fur or were more hairless like modern elephants.
- They shared their territory with mammoths, saber-toothed cats, and even giant sloths!
Past Lessons
| 158 | July 22, 2024 | (North America) |