Mammoth facts you didn’t see coming, because they’re extinct.

One of the more unknown facts about mammoths is that they’re not actually around anymore. They became extinct 10,000 years ago, an unfortunate reality that we have accepted here at the mammoth HQ. But for your viewing pleasure only, we are here to satiate your need for mammoth facts and information to last the rest of your lifespan.

Your Welcome!

Mammoths are herbivores and graze the ground for food; similar to that of the modern cow!

There is more than one type of mammoth

1. The Woolly Mammoth
2. And the Steppe Mammoth

With the latter being the much larger sibling; weighing in at 7.2 metric tonnes and reaching a whopping 4m or 13ft tall

Our little friends the Woolly Mammoth come in at a mere 4.5 metric tonnes and 3m or 9ft tall; approximately the same size as our African Elephant friends

• Remarkably, Woolly Mammoths are more closely related genetically to the smaller Asian Elephant

Mammoths lived in biomes known as the Steppe Tundra or the Mammoth Steppe

• This used to be Earth’s most extensive biome; reaching from the west of Europe, across Eurasia and into North America
• With a significant north-to-south reach as well, the Steppe Tundra reached from the arctic islands all the way to China
• With the climate being cold and dry the Steppe Tundra was mostly large, flat and featureless grassland, covered in palatable grasses, herbs and willow shrubs
• However during the winter months snow would cover a majority of the edible grasses and shrubs, making food scarce during this time
• Though the Mammoths are the most recognised animals, there were many friends that also wandered this landscape; reindeer, muskox, woolly rhinoceros, steppe bison, brown bears, (cave) steppe-lion, scimitar cats, wolverines and wolves
• It is believed that the extinction of the Mammoths was due to a combination of humans hunting them and the climate changing to be warmer and wetter; removing and changing the vegetation away from what Mammoths could consume

Due to this, fossils and mummified remains of the Steppe Bison suggested that the same happened to them

They also originated from the warmer African climate; before migrating north into Europe, Asia and North America

Similar to some winter dogs and animals, Woolly Mammoths also had two layers of fur

• The longer top coat that could grow up to 90cm in length!
• The shorter undercoat, which created a thick insulating layer
• Mammoths displayed a range of coloured furs with orange as the most common; paleontological evidence suggest colours ranged from almost black to blonde were present within herds

Humans were also alive and hunting during the Mammoth’s reign and hunted them for food, fur and their bones; which were used to create strong buildings and huts

Due to living in harsh cold biomes many mammoths ended up being preserved and accidentally mummified; with the best being a female in her 50s named Buttercup (RIP)

Scientists are looking more into “reviving” extinct species including the Tasmanian Tiger and the Woolly Mammoth,?

• This is a controversial experiment due to the significant change in environment and climate since they last wandered the earth

We welcome you to share these amazing facts with those around you and give a small thanks to those mammoths watching over you reading this blog.

Please check out our other mammoth blogs and become acquainted with our very own mini mammoth, Herbert. The best boy in this hemisphere!

If you would like to look at the autopsy photos of Buttercup follow the links below, small warning they are NSFW!

https://www.livescience.com/37042-image-gallery-stunning-mammoth-unearthed.html

https://www.livescience.com/48768-photos-mammoth-autopsy.html

Check out these websites for more info

https://a-z-animals.com/blog/10-incredible-woolly-mammoth-facts/

https://www.westberkshireheritage.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Woolly-mammoth-fun-facts-sheet-online-version-2.pdf

https://www.livescience.com/56678-woolly-mammoth-facts.html

https://www.treehugger.com/woolly-mammoth-facts-5114029

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammoth_steppe