| Mammoths | |
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 The woolly mammoth, one of the only species to have fur alongside its ancestral species, the steppe mammoth | |
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Real Name |
Mammuthus |
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Active |
Late Miocene-Holocene |
Origin[]
Mammoths were large, extinct relatives of today’s elephants that roamed Earth during the Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs, though their evolutionary roots trace back to the late Miocene. They were part of the genus Mammuthus and were adapted to a range of environments, from the cold tundras of Ice Age Europe and North America to more temperate regions. Among the most iconic of the mammoths was the woolly mammoth, Mammuthus primigenius, known for its thick, shaggy coat, curved tusks, and adaptations to frigid climates.
Mammoths were herbivores, grazing primarily on grasses, shrubs, and other vegetation. Their size varied by species, but some could grow as tall as 13 feet at the shoulder and weigh over 10 tons. Their long, curved tusks could reach lengths of up to 15 feet and were used for digging through snow, stripping bark, and possibly in social or mating displays.
These animals shared many characteristics with modern elephants, including a strong social structure, long gestation periods, and complex behaviors. Fossil evidence, including well-preserved specimens found in Siberian permafrost, has provided remarkable insights into their biology, diet, and even causes of death.
Mammoths began to disappear around 10,000 years ago, likely due to a combination of climate change, habitat loss, and overhunting by humans. Some small populations, like those on Wrangel Island, survived until as recently as 4,000 years ago. Today, mammoths are a subject of fascination in both paleontology and genetics, with some scientists exploring the possibility of de-extinction through cloning or genetic engineering using DNA from preserved remains.
Public Domain Appearances[]
All published appearances of mammoths published before January 1, 1930 are public domain in the US.
Some notable appearances include:
Public Domain Film Appearances[]
- Pygmy Mammoth: Life and Times (2009)
- Channel Islands pygmy mammoth excavation series (2020)
- Columbian mammoth fossilized footprints (White Sands NP) (2022)
- Fossilized Footprints B-roll (White Sands NP) (2024)
Public Domain Animated Appearances[]
- Ball of Fire (1957)
Public Domain Comic Appearances[]
- Captain Marvel Adventures #35 (1944): Mr. Mind and his Nazi allies continue to attack the coast of Scotland from his floating island. He thaws out a woolly mammoth from his frozen island to fight Captain Marvel.
- Thun'da, King of the Congo #3: In the Cave Girl story The Man Who Served Death!, a gold hunter comes to the Dawn Lands and begins bullying humans and animals alike. It also featured a mammoth named Druthga.
- Star Comics v1 #7; v2#3: Featured the story Trail of the Mammoth which was about two men, Tom and Merkel , who are racing to find a mammoth fossil to get the cash reward offered by the museum. The story is later reprinted in issue v2 #3.
- Master Comics #18: The Companions Three encounter a living mammoth that survived the ice age. It is under control of the Caveman, a modern fugitive who befriended the prehistoric beast to scare away trespassers to his forest.
- X-Mas Comics #1: Reprints the story from Master Comics #18.
- Jungle Comics #112: Kaänga and Ann pursue a safari into the lands beyond the Voodoo Swamp, where they encounter animals that are extinct in the outside world such as mammoths. Here, the safari guide Lapin, is exploiting the Neanderthal natives and hiding his stolen treasures. Kaänga captures Lapin and takes him back to the Congo for trial.
- Coo Coo Comics #43: Colonel Punchy Penguin and Tubby Bear go hunting for mammoths in order to make money from a museum. Much to the chagrin of Tubby who spends days trying to find one, Punchy ends up finding two frozen in the ice and sells them.