Why did mammoths have tusks?

Defense: Mammoths used their tusks for defense against predators, such as saber-toothed cats and dire wolves. They would defend their family, their hunting territories, and their food sources with these tusks. By swinging their heads or charging at predators, they could inflict serious injury or even death.

Dominance: Tusks were also important for establishing and maintaining dominance within the mammoth herds. Mature male mammoths (bulls) would compete for dominance over herds of females (cows) during breeding season. The mammoths with the largest, most impressive tusks were more likely to be successful in these competitions and, as a result, get to pass on their genes to the next generation.

Accessing Food: Mammoths used their tusks to dig up plants, roots, and vegetation that they couldn't reach with their trunks alone. They would also use their tusks to break down tree bark, gaining access to the nutritious plants underneath.

Water: In regions where water was scarce, mammoths would use their tusks to dig through ice or hard-packed snow to reach water sources hidden beneath the surface.

Communication: Researchers believe that mammoths also used their tusks for communication, making contact with one another and conveying messages through touch, smell, and gentle knocking sounds.

Overall, the tusks of mammoths played a vital role in their survival, protection, access to food and water, and social interactions within their herds. They were a defining feature of these magnificent prehistoric creatures and contributed to their success in the environments they inhabited.