Woolly Mammoth

One interesting extinct animal is the **Woolly Mammoth** (*Mammuthus primigenius*). This prehistoric elephant lived during the last Ice Age and roamed across the northern parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. Woolly Mammoths were well-adapted to cold environments, featuring long, curved tusks and a thick, shaggy coat of hair to shield them from frigid temperatures.

They stood about 10 to 12 feet tall and weighed up to 6 tons. Their diet consisted mainly of grasses, shrubs, and other vegetation found in the tundra. Woolly Mammoths were social creatures, typically living in herds.

The extinction of the Woolly Mammoth is attributed to a combination of climate change, which altered their habitat, and hunting pressures from early humans. Their remains, often found preserved in ice, offer valuable insights into prehistoric ecosystems and the species that inhabited them. Scientists are even exploring the possibility of de-extincting the Woolly Mammoth through genetic engineering.