Romania #1890 (1966) – Southern Mammoth (Mammuthus Meridionalis)

Description

Romania #1890 (1966) – Southern Mammoth (Mammuthus Meridionalis)

Mammuthus meridionalis refers to the Southern Mammoth, an extinct species of mammoth that lived during the Pleistocene epoch. Here are some key features and facts about Mammuthus meridionalis:

1. Size and Appearance:
   • The Southern Mammoth was a large proboscidean, similar in size to the modern African elephant. Adult males could reach heights of about 13 feet (4 meters) at the shoulder.
2. Geographical Range:
   • This species had a wide distribution, ranging across Europe, Asia, and North America during the Pleistocene epoch.
3. Tusk Characteristics:
   • Southern Mammoths had long, curved tusks that could reach lengths of up to 13 feet (4 meters). The tusks were used for various purposes, including obtaining food and foraging.
4. Diet:
   • Like other mammoths, Mammuthus meridionalis was herbivorous, primarily feeding on grasses, shrubs, and other vegetation.
5. Adaptation to Cold Climates:
   • The Southern Mammoth was adapted to cold climates and had a dense coat of fur to help insulate against the cold. This adaptation allowed them to thrive in a variety of environments, including tundra and steppe regions.
6. Extinction:
   • Mammuthus meridionalis, like many other Pleistocene megafauna, became extinct towards the end of the Pleistocene epoch, around 10,000 to 12,000 years ago. The exact reasons for their extinction are not fully understood but are thought to be related to a combination of factors, including climate change and human activities.
7. Evolutionary Relationship:
   • The Southern Mammoth is considered part of the evolutionary lineage that led to the later mammoth species, including the well-known woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius).

Fossils of Mammuthus meridionalis, including tusks, bones, and teeth, have been discovered in various locations, contributing to our understanding of the Pleistocene ecosystems and the evolutionary history of mammoths.