Scientific Classification
Kingdom | Animalia |
Phylum | Chordata |
Clade | Synapsida |
Class | Mammalia |
Order | Proboscidea |
Family | Elephantidae |
Genus | Mammuthus |
Species | M. primigenius |
Scientific Name | Mammuthus primigenius |

Other Names
Elephas primigenius, Elephas mammonteus, Mammuthus boreus, Mammonteus primigenius Osborn, Elephas boreus
Woolly Mammoth Description
- The woolly mammoth is probably the most understood of all prehistoric animals.
- It separated from the steppe mammoth about 400,000 years ago.
- The mammoth was nearly the size of a modern elephant.
- Dugongs and manatees are thought to be the close relatives of mammoths.
- They had ears smaller than those of modern elephants.
- Woolly mammoths had thick layer of skin that kept the animal warm in extreme cold.
- The small ears of the mammoth prevent the heat loss.
- They could take a stride as long as 2 m (6.6 ft).
- Adult mammoths must need 180 kg (397 lb) of food daily.
Size & Weight
Adult
(Male)
- SHOULDER HEIGHT: 2.7 and 3.4 m (8.9 and 11.2 ft)
- WEIGHT: 6 tonnes (6.6 short tons)
- TUSK LENGTH: 4–2.7 m (7.9–8.9 ft)
- TUSK WEIGHT: 45 kg (99 lb)
(Female)
- SHOULDER HEIGHT: 6–2.9 meters (8.5–9.5 ft)
- WEIGHT: 4 tonnes (4.4 short tons)
- TUSK LENGTH: 5–1.8 m (4.9–5.9 ft)
- TUSK WEIGHT: 9 kg (20 lb)
(Male and Female)
- EAR LENGTH: 38 cm (15 in)
- EAR WIDTH: 18–28 cm (7.1–11.0 in)
- TRUNK: 2 meters (6.6 ft)
- TAIL: 36 cm (14 in)
- HAIR LENGTH: 90 cm (35 in)
- HAIR DIAMETER: 5 mm (0.020 in)
Newborn
- WEIGHT: 90 kilograms (200 lb)
- EAR WIDTH: 13 cm (5.1 in)
- TRUNK: 76 cm (2.49 ft)

Subspecies
- M. intermedius
- M. chosaricus
- M. p. primigenius
- M. p. jatzkovi
- M. p. sibiricus
- M. p. fraasi
- M. p. leith-adamsi
- M. p. hydruntinus
- M. p. astensis
- M. p. americanus
- M. p. compressus
- M. p. alaskensis
Fossil Discovery
Siberia, Alaska
Habitat
Tundra steppe
Diet
Sedges, grasses, shrubs, herbaceous plants, mosses, flowering plants
Range
Eurasia, North America
Weaning Period
3 years
Lifespan
60 years
Predators
Wolves, felines, cave hyenas
Behavior
Social
Conservation Status
Extinct