WOOLLY MAMMOTH Meaning and
Definition
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A woolly mammoth is an extinct species of large mammal within the family Elephantidae, which includes modern elephants. They inhabited the Earth during the Pleistocene epoch and were primarily found in the northern regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. This massive creature was renowned for its imposing size, characterized by long, curved tusks that could grow up to 15 feet long, a humped back, and a dense, shaggy coat of hair.
The woolly mammoth, named for its long, coarse hair that insulated its body from the harsh cold, stood up to 13 feet tall and weighed about six to eight tons. It possessed immense strength, making it a formidable herbivore that primarily grazed on grasses and other vegetation. Its tusks served various purposes, such as foraging for food, digging up plants, and defending itself against predators.
These majestic creatures went extinct approximately 4,000 years ago, likely due to a combination of factors such as hunting by early humans, habitat loss, and climate change. However, due to the preservation of their frozen carcasses in the Arctic permafrost, scientists have been able to study and gain insights into the biology and ecology of woolly mammoths.
In recent years, there have been efforts to potentially resurrect the woolly mammoth by using genetic engineering techniques to introduce mammoth genes into the DNA of their closest living relative, the Asian elephant. This captivating creature continues to captivate the imagination and interest of scientists, historians, and the general public alike, representing a fascinating chapter in Earth's natural history.
Common Misspellings for WOOLLY MAMMOTH
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Etymology of WOOLLY MAMMOTH
The word "woolly mammoth" has its origin in the combination of two separate terms.
The term "mammoth" originated from the Russian word "mamont", which itself was derived from the Tatar term "mamāut". Tatar is a Turkic language spoken in parts of Russia, Ukraine, and Central Asia. "Mamāut" means "earth horn", referring to the long, curved tusks that the animal possessed. The term was then borrowed into English and other languages.
The term "woolly" refers to the dense, shaggy fur that covered the animal. This characteristic was distinctive to the species and helped it adapt to colder climates. It also effectively separates the woolly mammoth from its closely related but different species, the Columbian mammoth.
Similar spelling words for WOOLLY MAMMOTH
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