Saber-toothed cats: These iconic predators lived during the Pleistocene epoch, which ended about 11,700 years ago. Saber-toothed cats were distinguished by their long, saber-like upper canine teeth, which could grow up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) long in some species.
Woolly mammoths: Mammoths were large, elephant-like animals that thrived during the Ice Age. They had thick, shaggy fur to protect them from the cold Arctic and subarctic climates they inhabited. The most well-known species was the woolly mammoth, which could grow up to 13 feet (4 meters) tall at the shoulder and weigh up to 15,000 pounds (6,800 kilograms).
Giant ground sloths: These massive herbivores roamed the Americas during the Pleistocene epoch. Some species of giant ground sloths could grow up to 20 feet (6 meters) long and weigh up to several tons.
Terror birds: Also known as phorusrhacids, terror birds were giant, flightless birds that lived in South America during the Cenozoic era. They had powerful beaks and sharp talons, and some species could grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) tall.
Irish elk: The Irish elk, or Megaloceros giganteus, was a species of deer that lived in Eurasia during the Pleistocene epoch. It is known for its enormous antlers, which could have a span of up to 12 feet (3.7 meters).
These are just a few examples of how animals may have looked different in the distant past. It is worth noting that our understanding of prehistoric animals is based on fossil evidence, which can be incomplete, so there may still be many discoveries and surprises awaiting us.