The American mastodon, scientifically known as Mammut americanum, was a species of extinct mammal that belonged to the mastodon family. These huge animals lived during the Pleistocene period, from about 2.5 million years ago to about 11,700 years ago, and were native to North America.
The American mastodon was similar in appearance to modern elephants, but had some distinctive differences. It had a stocky body and large, downward-curving tusks. Its tusks were shorter and less curved than those of mammoths, another closely related species. Although they were smaller than mammoths, American mastodons were still large animals. Adult males could measure around 2.8 meters tall at the shoulders and reach a length of about 5 meters. Furthermore, its average weight is estimated to be around 5 tons.
The American mastodon was primarily herbivorous, feeding on a variety of plants, including twigs, leaves, grasses, and fruit. It had a prehensile trunk, similar to that of an elephant, which it used to grab and pull out vegetation. Unlike elephants, American mastodons also had upper tusks, which they used to tear through vegetation and defend themselves against predators.
These animals inhabited a wide variety of habitats, from forests to grasslands to swamps. They are believed to have lived in social herds and migrated in search of food and water. Although they were herbivores, their size and strength allowed them to fend off predators such as saber-toothed tigers and wolves.
The American mastodon became extinct at the end of the last Ice Age, probably due to climatic changes, habitat reduction, and hunting by early humans in the Americas.
Approximate measurements of the Mastodon:
- 1:72 scale - 80mm long
- 1:35 scale - 160 mm long
