Mammoths vs. Elephant
What is Difference between Mammoth and Elephant? Our planet has possessed and possesses a very diverse and interesting fauna. The sad thing is that many animals that previously existed today are extinct and others are already in danger of extinction. This time we will explain the difference between two kinds of animals (one of which only remains and another that is on the way to finish as the first) that have certain similarities, but are quite different. These are mammoths and elephants. Here below this post is all about Difference between Mammoth and Elephant.
Difference between Mammoth and Elephant
Elephant
The elephants, of the order Proboscidea are the unique survivors of the elephantidae family; the other families of the order, which includes mammoths and mastodons, became extinct long ago.
The word “elephant” derives from the Latin elephas (genitive elephantis) (” elephant “), which in turn is derived from the Greek. More than 161 extinct members of the order Proboscidea have been registered. Below are some facts about elephants:
- Shelf life: 60 years on average
- Mass: 5,500 kg on average
- Height: 330 cm on average
As already mentioned, elephants belong to the Elephantidae family, of which only the order Proboscidea prevails. The irenians (Dugongs and manatees) and damanes are their closest relatives among the animals that still exist.
Traditionally, two species of elephants are recognized; the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) from sub-Saharan Africa and the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) from South and South-East Asia. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has regarded African elephants as vulnerable, while Asian elephants have been classified as endangered species.
In 1797, the German naturalist Johann Friedrich Blumenbach had named the African elephant as Elephas africana. Georges Cuvier in 1825 called Loxodonta to this genus. This is all about 18 subspecies of African elephants. These animals can reach 3 – 4 m (10 – 13 feet) in height and weigh between 4,000 – 7,000 kg (8,800 – 15,000 lbs).
In 1758, the Swedish zoologist Carlos Linneo described the genus Elephas under the binomial Elephas maximus, from an elephant of Sri Lanka. Then Georges Cuvier in 1798 classified the Indian elephant under the binomial Elephas indicus. Asian elephants, depending on the territory they inhabit, vary in color and depigmentation.
The skull of the elephants is tough enough to withstand the weight generated by the fangs and collisions of the face. They have thick and large ears, with thin tips. The proboscis of the face is a fusion of the nose and upper lip.
In the first years of fetal life, the upper lip and the trunk are separated. This is lengthened as it develops and is very important for these animals. It Contain up to 150,000 separate muscle fascicles. It has no bone and has very low levels of fat.
The horn performs multiple functions, including breathing, touching, grasping, sound production, and smell. Generally, elephants have 26 incisor teeth, known as tusks, 12 premolars and 12 molars. The 2 large elephant tusks are modified incisors that leave the upper jaw. These animals replace milk teeth when they reach between 6 – 12 months of age and these grow continuously about 17 centimeters (7 inches) in a year. A newly developed canine has a smooth enamel top that eventually disappears.
The skin of the elephant is very hard, about 2.5 cm (1 in) thick in the back and some parts of the head. The brain weighs 4.5 – 5.5 kg (10-12 lb). His heart weighs between 12 – 21 kg (26-46 lbs) and has a double – pointed apex, which is an unusual feature among mammals. Elephants are polygamous breeders and their copulations occur frequently during the peak of the rainy season. Commonly, the gestation phase in these animals lasts about 2 years.
Elephants are the largest land animals that currently exist. They are herbivores by nature and are found in various habitats, including savannas, forests, deserts and salt marshes; since they prefer to stay near the water most of the time. They live like a socialized family, the groups are formed taking care of the bonds that can have between them. They basically communicate through touch, sight, smell and sound and use infrasound and seismic communication when they are at long distances.
They are known for their intelligence and have been compared to primates and cetaceans. They are aware of themselves and they also show empathy toward individuals in their class who are dying or dead.
Nowadays, these animals are threatened with the danger of extinction; because humans hunt and use them for various purposes, including: carrying heavy things, cutting off fangs.
Mammoth
The word ‘ mammoth’ was first used in Europe in the early 1600s to refer to the fangs discovered in Siberia. Here below are some facts about mammoths:
- Scientific name: Mammuthus
- Family: Elephantidae
- Lowest Ranking: Mammuthus meridionalis
The mammoths were large. Seen from the side, they were taller at the shoulders, with a slightly hunchbacked profile. They had a thick, dense layer of skin on their bodies, which offered protection against cold temperatures during the Ice Age. The roots of their teeth were shallow, these were called hyspodants and helped them to grind the grass. The c olmillos mammoth weighed more than 150 kilos and were long (16 feet). Curvados towards his face, although some were straight .
Most of the physical characteristics of the mammoth resemble that of the elephants. Their diet differed depending on their race. The pre-Columbian American mammoths were fed mainly on cactus leaves, trees and shrubs. There are no mammoth species today . Among the reasons for the extinction of these animals are: the warming trend (Holocene) occurred many years ago, accompanied by glacial retreat and rising sea levels; forests were replaced by grasslands and open forests on the continents; the spread of human hunters with new tools developed.
Key differences between Mammoths and Elephants
- Elephants still exist, while mammoths are already extinct.
- The mammoths were hairy, while the elegant ones have little hair.
- Elephants are smaller than mammoths.
- Mammoth tusks were much longer than those of elephants.
