Other forms: mastodons
Imagine a shaggy, elephant-like giant lumbering through ancient forests — that was the mastodon, complete with curving tusks and a sturdy build that was perfect for thriving in the Ice Age.
Mastodons were the heavyweights of the Ice Age, co-existing with early humans and mammoths. While they resembled today's elephants, mastodons had some unique features: longer bodies, shorter legs, and straighter tusks. They roamed the dense forests of North America, Europe, and Asia, munching on leaves and shrubs suited to their cone-shaped teeth. These incredible beasts ambled across the Earth until about 10,000 years ago. Scientists study mastodon fossils to learn more about their lifestyles and the environments they inhabited, unlocking secrets of the past.