The American mastodon (scientific name Mammut americanum) roamed North America from at least 3.75 million to 10,000 years ago. Mastodons, along with mammoths and modern elephants, are members of the order Proboscidea. As adults they stood between 2.5 and 3 meters (8-10 feet) at the shoulder and weighed betweeen 3500 and 5400 kilograms (4-6 tons). Their teeth had blunt cones. Mastodons probably used these teeth to browse on herbs, shrubs, and trees.

Mastodons became extinct approximately 10,000 years ago. Today, paleontologists are trying to figure out why.


Not sure why this shot reminds me of one.