Woolly Mammoth is one prehistoric animal that we know a lot about. Discoveries of whole frozen carcasses in Siberia and North America (even ones with chewed food still in the mouth) have given incredible insight into their lives. They grew in size similar to the African Elephant, growing to 12 feet tall and weighing roughly 6 tons. Their thick coats of long hair aided them in surviving the long harsh Ice Age winters. This seems to have been effective as they are estimated to have lived to around 60 years old.

For a prehistoric species, they lived relatively recently – between 20,000 – 50,000 years ago. This placed them in proximity with early humans, who hunted them and would use Mammoth bones and tusks to craft tools and dwellings.

How do you measure up?

About the fossils:

Woolly Mammoths only had four of these massive plant grinding molars for processing food, which they did in massive quantities. Each tooth (and tusk) would have been lost and regrown four times during a Mammoth’s life. This tooth shows some erosion, but displays a wide occlusal surface, where the enamel has been worn down and dentine is more heavily exposed.

Name:	Wolly Mammoth
Fossil Type	Tooth
Age:	20,000 – 50,000 years (Late Pleistocene)
Location:	Siberia
Size:	6.9 inches