There are a number of incredible extinct creatures that once dominated the earth. Unfortunately, there are endangered species poised to be extinct by 2025 and other nearly extinct animals that are soon to follow in these magnificent prehistoric animals' footsteps.
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One creature that existed long ago was the mammoth. First known to have existed on the planet three to four million years ago, mammoths were still roaming the earth until about 4,000 years ago.
But as the world began to change, mammoths could not evolve quickly enough and eventually went extinct. Those reasons why mammoths went extinct are happening all over again, but where humans were not to blame in the past, the blame rests squarely on humankind's shoulders.
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Where Mammoths Lived
Mammoths first lived in Africa before migrating to Asia and Europe and eventually North America
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Mammoth fossils have been found around the globe. This is because during the millions of years that mammoths were alive, the sea levels varied drastically before and after the Ice Age.
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The first known mammoths were believed to have existed in Africa three to four million years ago. However, as the populations of mammoths grew, they began to expand their territory. Because of this, mammoth fossils can be found in Asia and Europe.
Mammoths in Asia and Europe lived until about 135,000 years ago. During their lifespan, these mammoths traveled to North America via the Bering Strait when sea levels were much lower than today.
There are only two areas on Earth where the mammoths did not exist. Those areas are South America and Australia.
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Why Mammoths Went Extinct
Mammoths went extinct after climate change created an environment they could no longer live in
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It was believed for quite some time that humans were responsible for mammoths going extinct. While humans did hunt mammoths for food and used their bones for shelter, weapons, and tools used for hunting, humans did not overhunt the mammoths. Instead, it was climate change that caused the mammoths to cease to exist.
As temperatures began to rise after the last Ice Age, much of the land area mammoths called home and their grazing areas started to become saturated as the ice sheets around the world melted. Ice sheets and glaciers melted at a rate that did not allow mammoths to evolve in their new surroundings. Instead, areas that were once plentiful with the vegetation mammoths ate became covered in water, forcing mammoths to migrate to regions where food was still available.
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Over time, mammoths began to die off. The last surviving mammoths lived approximately 4,000 years ago in areas around the Arctic.
Eventually, there was a group of mammoths that passed over a strait that would eventually be flooded by the ice melt. As a result, a small group of mammoths was left as the others around the globe began to die from starvation. These mammoths procreated until there were 200 to 300 on the island.
Out of nowhere, the seemingly healthy, albeit genetically similar, mammoths disappeared. Just what the event was that caused this to happen is still open for debate.
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The Reasons The Mammoth Went Extinct Are Repeating Themselves
Climate change, loss of habitat, and lack of genetic diversity is occurring in the animal world today
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History is currently in the process of repeating itself. The same conditions that existed when the mammoths were alive are here today. This specifically refers to loss of land, lack of genetic diversity in species, and climate change. But, where humans were not responsible for mammoths going extinct, humans are at fault for the condition the world is in today.
Loss Of Habitat For Animals
As populations around the globe have increased, this has made the demand for living space increase as well. Areas that were once the habitat for so many animals have been encroached on. If specific species have not been affected by the open spaces being diminished, their prey has likely been. This means less food for the more apex animals and a decline in their populations.
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Lack Of Genetic Diversity In Animals
Genetic diversity is important in species because it helps to mitigate damage any outbreaks may cause and keep populations strong. With smaller populations of many animals today, there are fewer to choose from to mate with. This means that animals that are on the critically endangered list run a very high risk of ceasing to exist because they are unable to fight off disease.
Climate Change Impacts On Animals
The world is getting warmer. There is no denying that. Areas around the world are being impacted by climate change, which can be seen by stronger storms, warmer oceans, and glaciers and polar ice caps melting.
As the sea level gets higher, more areas below sea level will flood. Complete cities will be underwater by 2050. Open spaces will turn into ponds, rivers, and lakes. This will decrease living areas and feeding areas for a variety of animals.
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Consequently, these species will either have to relocate to survive or will eventually perish. All of which is eerily similar to what the mammoths dealt with several thousand years ago.
Why The Reasons Mammoths Went Extinct Is Significant Today
Some animals are on the brink of extinction with their habitats changing and shrinking significantly over the years
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Just like the ice sheets melting caused mammoths a decrease in their food source, animals today are suffering from the rapid rate of ice and iceberg melt occurring.
The animal most significantly impacted currently is the polar bear. This is because polar bears use ice sheets and icebergs as their platforms when hunting. Be it waiting patiently for prey to make itself known or using the ice as a place to rest while on long swims, ice is important to keeping polar bears healthy.
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But with so much less ice, polar bears have to expend more energy than ever to hunt. Consequently, polar bears are losing weight at a rapid rate, which, by some accounts, could put the species at risk by 2050.
Additionally, as the ice melts, marine animals that rely on "sea-ice algae and sub-ice plankton" could start to suffer. With the blooms occurring at irregular times, the food supply cannot be counted on.
Plants above ground will begin to change as well. The cold climates that are required for some plants to grow will cause the plants to stop growing and eventually die. This will affect animals like caribou, according to PennState, that eat these plants and could decrease their populations.
Climate change was to blame for the wooly mammoths' demise. Without significant changes soon, many animals who live in the coldest spots in the world may face the same fate as the mammoth.
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