Wild Creatures That Have Ever Lived On Earth

Welcome to this fascinating journey through time, where we will explore wild creatures that have ever lived on Earth. These awesome and magnificent creatures, some of which are now extinct, have left an indelible mark on the natural world. Join us as we delve into their extraordinary lives and learn about their incredible adaptations and how they got extinct. Included are links to verifiable sources for further information.

1: The Tyrannosaurus Rex

Often referred to as the "king of the dinosaurs", was one of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs that ever lived on planet Earth. With its massive size and powerful jaws, it ruled the prehistoric world. Its fearsome appearance and reputation make it a popular subject of fascination among both scientists and the general public. The T. rex roamed the Earth around 66 to 68 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous period.

And incase you don't know, the cretaceous period in geologic time, is the last of the three periods of the Mesozoic Era. It began 145 million years ago and ended 66 million years ago. It was the period of the great extinction in which the dinosaurs died out. This huge dinosaur stood about 20 feet tall and measured up to 40 feet in length. Its sharp teeth, which could reach up to 12 inches in length, were designed for tearing flesh. You can read more about this Tyrant Lizard from this link https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/factsheets/tyrannosaurus-rex

2. Woolly Mammoth

The Woolly Mammoth is an iconic creature of the Ice Age. The ice age started about 2.6 million years ago and lasted until roughly 11,000 years ago. It was during this period that this elephant existed. These massive beasts were covered in long, shaggy hair and had long, curved tusks that could reach up to 16 feet in length.

They roamed across the tundra of North America, Europe, and Asia during the last Ice Age. The Woolly Mammoth's adaptation to the cold climate included a thick layer of fat and a hump of fat on its back to conserve body heat. Their long, curved tusks were used for digging through snow and ice to find food, as well as for defense against predators. Unfortunately, the Woolly Mammoth went extinct around 4,000 years ago due to a combination of climate change and human hunting.

If you are interested in reading more about this huge elephant, make use of this link: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/last-mammoths.html

3. Saber-Toothed Tige

The Saber-Toothed Tiger, also known as the Smilodon, was a fearsome predator with long, daggerlike curved canine teeth protruding from the sides of their mouths, is one of the most iconic "Ice Age" mammals in North America. These teeth could measure up to 7 inches in length and were used for stabbing and tearing apart its prey. They are of the cat's family. The Smilodon lived during the Pleistocene epoch, approximately 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago.

The Smilodon had a muscular build and was about the size of a modern-day lion. Its unique adaptation of long canine teeth allowed it to deliver a powerful bite to immobilize its prey. This apex predator roamed across North and South America, hunting large herbivores such as bison and horses. Unfortunately, the Saber-Toothed Tiger became extinct due to the changing climate and the competition with humans.

Get more interesting facts about this apex predator from the link https://igws.indiana.edu/FossilsAndTime/Sabertoothouth

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