Mammoths are extinct elephant mammals. They weighed an average of eleven tons, and reached a height of five meters. Undoubtedly, they were very similar to modern elephants, but still had differences. The mammoths had shorter legs, and the body was covered with long, thick wool.
The ears were tightly pressed against the head, as well as the tail. The wool on the body was light brown with black inclusions. The tusks of these animals were of high strength and curved shape for the convenience of feeding. But despite this, the tusks were quickly repaired. The average life expectancy was sixty years. Mammoths were eating mainly bark, which was knocked down by tusks, moss and small shrubs. Such animals had to eat a lot and constantly move from place to place in search of fresh plants. And they moved in herds of up to ten animals.
Scientists say that mammoths appeared on Earth about five million years ago, and disappeared only four thousand years ago. They lived on the territory of modern Europe and Asia. Remains of animals and their images were found in places of formation of communities of ancient people. In Russia they too were enough. Especially in Siberia, where mammoth bones are still found.
Till now the reason on which such powerful mammals have died out is precisely unknown. One scientist has put forward the theory that the whole kind could not simply disappear, and evolved in another. But at the moment, no direct descendants of mammoths have been found. Another scientist believes that the cause of animal death was natural disasters. The earth at that time was unstable, and time and again there were various floods and earthquakes. But the most probable theory, which everyone adheres to, is that the cause was global warming. The areas where the mammoths lived have become swamps. And the plants they ate were destroyed. It is precisely because of the lack of food that these mammals have ceased to exist. Although earlier it seemed more likely that it was people who caused the extinction of mammoths. This theory appeared because animal skins were found in the places where ancient people lived. But then it turned out that people's weapons could not pierce the thick skin of the mammal, and the meat was so hard that it would be useless to eat. It is only possible that people killed weak and sick animals, but not healthy ones.
One of the most successful finds was a mammoth found near Magadan. It fell under the ice and thanks to this it has been so well preserved to this day. And his research helped to reveal many secrets related to mammoths.
Modern technology has reached such a level that scientists are considering cloning animals. Theoretically, this is considered possible. Although previous attempts have not been successful, groups of researchers and scientists do not dare to rest on their laurels. And how do you know that we may soon see the mammoths alive and in their lifetime.
Mammoths are extinct about 10 000 years ago, the ancestors of modern elephants. Externally, mammoths are very similar to modern animals, but were higher and 2 times heavier than an elephant. Another difference between animals is wool. Thanks to this, mammoths could live in a cold climate. In addition to wool, the mammal had a hump where fat was stored. Underneath the skin there were also large fatty layers.
The mammoth was 5.5 meters tall and weighed up to 10 tons. The mammal had very large tusks. Their length was up to 4 meters. Mammoths probably fought off predators or attracted females with such big tusks. The name of the animal comes from the two words "mang ont", which means "earthen horn" in Mansius. In addition to the giant species, there were also small animals, no higher than humans. They ate vegetation, and daily mammoth needed 160-180 kilograms of food. Like modern elephants, mammoths lived in herds.
Ancient people hunted mammoths, because the meat of one killed animal was enough for a long time, skins were used for clothes. And tusks and bones for tools and weapons. They inhabited almost every continent where ancient people lived:
Europe,
Asia,
North America,
Africa.
Perhaps because of hunting and the ice age, the animals have begun to die. Bones and remains of mammoths were found in Alaska in the USA and in Russia in Siberia and Yakutia. The most famous of the finds are the Dima and Lyuba mammoths found in the Russian regions of Magadan Oblast and Yamal. It is in Russia that the largest number of remains of these mammals is located. Currently, ivory products are made of mammoth tusks, as hunting elephants is prohibited. All over the world there are many images of animals on the walls of the caves. This is the work of ancient artists who drew mammoths more often than other animals.
In some cities of Russia monuments to a mammoth in full growth are established. These are Salekhard, Yakutsk and Khanty-Mansiysk. The mammoth is also depicted on the coat of arms of the cities of Russia and Germany. And many people watched famous cartoons about a mammoth looking for her and "Ice Age".
