Скачать или смотреть 5 Massive Ice Age Animals That Roamed North America

5 Massive Ice Age Animals That Roamed North America



Numerous colossal mammals met their demise possibly due to being hunted to extinction as ancient humans expanded their territories into North America.

Picture beavers the size of bears, sloths weighing over 3,000 pounds, and seven-foot camels wandering the shores of marshy seas. This was the Ice Age world discovered by humans when they migrated from Asia to North America around 14,000 years ago.

Stuart Fiedel, an archeologist focusing on the prehistory of the Americas, comments on the altered landscapes caused by human presence. He notes that the current North American environment lacks the abundant large mammals that once roamed the continent during most of Earth's history, particularly the Pleistocene era. The rapid disappearance of these colossal creatures followed the arrival of humans, except in Africa and certain parts of Asia.

As the glaciers retreated during the late Pleistocene, North America was inhabited by a variety of thriving extra-large mammal species, commonly known as megafauna. However, around 10,000 years ago, a vast majority of these gigantic animals faced extinction.

The cause of the mass extinction of Ice Age megafauna remains a subject of ongoing debate. While many archaeologists attribute it to over-hunting by ancient humans who encountered these large prey animals unaccustomed to the presence of these bipedal beings, others suggest that human overkill was just one factor. Speculations include a sudden climatic shift that cooled the planet 12,800 years ago (the Younger Dryas event), or the spread of diseases carried by ancient humans and their canine companions potentially contributing to the demise of these creatures.

As the mystery surrounding their extinction persists, delve into the world of Ice Age North America to discover more about the colossal giants that once roamed the ancient landscapes.🌍🦣🔍