What does a mastodon look like?

A mastodon is an extinct relative of modern elephants, and once resembled them in many ways. These now-extinct animals walked the earth from the Miocene epoch to the end of the Pleistocene epoch, a period spanning millions of years until their eventual disappearance. In terms of appearance, mastodons were broadly constructed and featured impressive long skulls and massive bodies, though there were different species with varying physical attributes.

Key features of mastodon's appearance include:

1. Size and Build: Mastodons were colossal animals and some of the largest land mammals to ever exist. They generally stood between 2.5 to 3 meters (8 to 10 feet) tall at the shoulders and could reach lengths of 6 meters (20 feet). Their hefty bodies could weigh in the range of 10,000 to 12,000 kilograms (22,000 to 26,000 pounds).

2. Skull and Tusks: One defining characteristic of mastodons was their distinct skull shape. They had elongated, low skulls with a domed forehead and an elongated jaw. Their prominent set of upward-curving tusks emerged from the upper jaws and grew continuously throughout their lives. Unlike elephants, female mastodons also possessed tusks.

3. Trunk: Like modern elephants, mastodons had flexible, muscular trunks that they used for various purposes, such as feeding, drinking, smelling, and bathing.

4. Fur: Mastodons were equipped with thick and woolly fur, allowing them to survive in cooler environments. Their fur is believed to have been reddish or dark brown in color.

5. Teeth: Mastodons were herbivores with large, grinding molars. Their teeth, known as "bunodont," had a complex pattern of bumps that helped them efficiently process and chew plant materials.

6. Legs and Feet: Mastodons rested on four robust legs with broad, foot-like structures. Each leg had five toes with nail-like hoof covers at the ends.

While mastodons shared similarities with modern elephants in terms of body shape and certain features, they had their own unique characteristics, leading to their designation as a distinct genus. They played an essential ecological role in their habitats during the prehistoric era.