Pleistocene fauna

Pleistocene fauna

The time of Pleistocene was the first geological division of the Quaternary period. It was mainly characterized by low temperatures that covered almost the entire planet with ice. The Pleistocene fauna it was characterized mainly by the appearance of large mammals such as the mammoth. We also observe in this period of time the evolution of the human species. It is at this time that the ancestors of modern man appeared.

In this article we are going to analyze all the characteristics and evolution of the Pleistocene fauna.

General context of the Pleistocene fauna

To understand the development of the Pleistocene fauna, we must understand the generalized context, both climate and geology, etc. It is a time that is one of the most studied and that has the most fossil records. For this reason, it has become one of the times when there is more extensive and reliable information. This period of time began 2.6 million years ago and ended after the last ice age, approximately 10.000 BC

Throughout this period, the large mammals had their greatest splendor, in terms of development and diversification. Among them are the mammoth, the megatherium and the mastodons that dominated practically the entire planet. The characteristic that makes them different from the rest of the fauna was their large size. We must also comment on the development of human ancestors such as the Homo erectus, Homo habilis, and Homo neanderthalensis.

Regarding geology, we found that there was little displacement of the continents. In this case, the continental drift was quite low and has remained that way ever since. Already at this time the continents had the same positions that they have today. Analyzing the climate we see that there was a predominance of low temperatures. And it is that during this time several glacial cycles happened. It remained that way all the time until the end of the last ice age. Much of the planet was covered in ice. Specialists have recorded that approximately 30% of the entire earth's surface was frozen. The south pole in Antarctica was completely covered in ice just like today. All the lands of the Arctic Circle were also there.

Once we have analyzed the context of this time period, we begin to analyze the Pleistocene fauna.

Pleistocene fauna

Pleistocene mega fauna

During this time it was the mammals that became the dominant group. Maintain a generalized all the hegemony that began in previous times. In the Pleistocene fauna, the emergence of the so-called megafauna stands out. This megafauna refers to large animals that were able to resist the low temperatures that existed at that time.

Although mammals were the maximum development and diversification of the fauna of this time, other groups of animals such as birds, amphibians and reptiles also continued to diversify. Much of these groups of animals has remained until today. However, it cannot be argued that mammals were the kings of this age.

The Pleistocene megafauna consisted mainly of large animals. Among these animals we highlight the most representatives that are the mammoth, the megatherium, the smilodon, the elasmotherium, among others. We are going to analyze one by one the main animals of the Pleistocene fauna.

Mammoth

These animals belonged to the genus Mammuthus and looked very similar to the elephants we have today. One of the most representative characteristics of this group was its nasal prolongation. This is because they belong to the Proboscidea order and have the organ that is colloquially known as the trunk. Its scientific name is proboscis. The mammoths also possessed long, sharp fangs that helped defend against potential predators. These fangs had a curvature that oriented them upwards. These tusks were made of ivory.

Depending on the area of ​​distribution of the individual and the proximity or remoteness of the areas with lower temperatures, the body was covered with more or less fur. Its habit or food was herbivorous. This makes the fangs only have a defensive function. Despite its enormous appearance and belonging to the Pleistocene megafauna group, it became extinct in the following epoch. Thanks to numerous fossil records, it has been possible to know a lot about the morphology and way of life of this species.

megatherium

These animals belong to the order Pilosa and are related to the current sloths. It is a type of animal that became one of the largest that populated the earth. His average weight was between 2.5 and 3 tons and were approximately 6 meters long. This species has been studied thanks to the fossils collected. Its bones were quite robust, so it is suspected that it had to support a large mass of meat.

Like sloths today, they had very long claws. These claws were used mainly to dig for food. Their diet was fully on the viper and it is thought that they had a solitary behavior. The body was covered by a thick fur that helped protect it from the low temperatures that existed in those times. Its habitat and area of ​​distribution was extended by the zones of South America.

Smilodon

This animal belongs to the Felidae family, being direct relatives of the current felines. Its main characteristic was its large size and two long fangs that descended from its upper jaw. Thanks to these characteristics the smilodon was known worldwide as »Saber-toothed tigers». It is one of the most studied animals in all of history because it is also present in numerous stories and mythologies.

Thanks to the fossils that have been collected from these species, males could reach up to 300 kilos in weight. They lived mainly in all areas of North and South America.

elasmotherium

It was one of the mammals that belonged to the Rhinocerotidae family, related to today's rhinos. The main characteristic of these animals was that they had a large horn that protruded from their skull and that could measure up to more than two meters. Their diet was herbivorous and their main food was grass.. As with other Pleistocene mammals, it had a body covered by thick fur. Its habitat and area of ​​distribution were in the areas of central Asia and the Russian steppes.

I hope that with this information you can learn more about the fauna of the Pleistocene.


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