Prehistoric life
Columbian mammoths had impressive, spiralled tusks that measured up to 4.9m, making them world record holders amongst the elephant family. There is some debate as to how hairy Columbian mammoths were and some scientists suggest that they had a full fur coat, like the woolly mammoth's. It is more likely that hair grew more extensively on some parts of the body, such as the top of the head, but that they were basically elephant-like with exposed greyish skin. Columbian mammoths ranged through the southern half of North America and south into Mexico before becoming extinct approximately 12,500 years ago.
Scientific name: Mammuthus columbi
Rank: Species
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La Brea death trap
A deadly concoction of crude oil killed countless victims, including mighty mammoths.
A deadly concoction of crude oil killed countless victims, including mighty mammoths.
Back to life at La Brea
Tar pit discoveries bring the behaviour of long dead mammoths to life.
Tar pit discoveries bring the behaviour of long dead mammoths to life.
Adolescent trap
Modern elephant behaviour solves the mystery of young mammoth deaths.
Modern elephant behaviour solves the mystery of young mammoth deaths.
Mammoth graveyard
Bones found in South Dakota tell us how Columbian mammoths lived and died.
Bones found in South Dakota tell us how Columbian mammoths lived and died.
Prehistoric dung pile
Huge fossil dung piles found in caves tell us about the Columbian mammoth's diet.
Huge fossil dung piles found in caves tell us about the Columbian mammoth's diet.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Discover the other animals and plants that lived during the following geological time periods.
Pleistocene epoch
Ice ageThe Columbian mammoth (Mammuthus columbi) is an extinct species of elephant of the Quaternary period that appeared in North America (in the present United States and to as far south as Nicaragua and Honduras) during the late Pleistocene.
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Hierarchical
Acoustic communication
Herbivorous
Social
Cold tolerant
Adapted to running
Seed dispersal
Sexual dimorphism
Viviparous