Ice Age Animals

A painting of a Columbian Mammoth at Waco Mammoth National Monument.

Photo courtesy of City of Waco / Painting by Lee Jamison

Columbian Mammoths (Mammuthus columbi)

Have you ever heard of a Columbian mammoth? Columbian mammoths (Mammuthus columbi) are descendants of the Imperial mammoth of Europe, which date back to 1 million years ago. Although a distant relative of the well-known Wooly mammoths, Columbian mammoths grew much bigger than the Wooly to over 14 feet in height and an estimated weight of 20,000 pounds. Unlike Wooly mammoths, Columbian mammoths likely had very little hair, due to the warmer climates of Texas, up to 16 foot long tusks, and a sponge-like pad behind the bones of their feet that acted as cushions that absorbed and distributed their weight. Columbian mammoths lived around Central Texas approximately 65,000 years ago and went extinct around 10,000 years ago.

 

Western Camels lived in North America right alongside mammoths and other Ice Age wildlife.

Drawing by Mason Bozzo

Western Camel
(Camelops hesternus)

The Camelid family originated in North America 45 million years ago but at least five genera of camels lived in North America during the Ice Age. The 7 foot tall Western Camel was an herbivore adapted well to the open space savannah and dry climate of Waco, Texas. Camelops had a "pacing gate" where their feet moved together on one side at a time, allowing them to have long strides and cover longer distances.

 

Saber-toothed cats had long fangs and were about the size of present day African Lions.

Painting by Charles R. Knight (Public Domain)

Saber-toothed cat
(Smilodon fatalis)

The Saber-toothed cat (Smilodon fatalis) lived in North American until 13,000 years ago. Smilodon fatalis derives from the Greek word "blade" "chisel" or "tooth." Although short limbed, these animals were about the size of modern African Lions. Researchers believe they used their 8 inch curved blade or "saber" teeth to slash and stab their prey. Since their bite may not have been used to hold prey immobile, it is believed that their paws were used to immobilize prey before the final bite during a hunt.