Mammoths

Behemoths of the Tundra

Blowing snow quickly fills the footprints of these wooly behemoths as they make their way across the landscape, their numbers shrouded by moving single file. Few predators attack such giants, especially as the cold seeps through the skin, but some, like the Sabre-Tooth Tigers, are willing to stalk from afar, their fur as warm against the chill as the creatures they stalk. Even so, the wooly herbivores move slowly, almost without care, as they return to the glacier that bears their name.
Mammoths are some of the few herbivores that can survive the wastes of the Neither Tundra, surviving on a plant aptly known as Mammoth Hair during the never-ending winter. They join the ranks of megafauna that roam the wild north, withstanding freezing winds and cutting snows that drive even the most stalwart Adventurers to turn away. These creatures prefer the sanctuary surrounding the Mammoth Glacier but also choose to roam as far as the tundra reaches, being seen on the cold shores by Sailors traveling the waves.
Those who have crossed paths with a Mammoth often compare it to crossing paths with a Triceratops or an Elephant, an experience that was scary enough to never repeat. While these creatures seem docile from a distance, the sight of their ivory tusks, the same wielded by Elephants, should change that thought. Their size alone should cause most to pause when crossing their path, realizing the damage one of their feet could inflict on its way to the ground.

Basic Information

Mammoth Skeleton

3D model by Smithsonian Museum of Natural History

Mammoths are very similar to Elephants except their bodies have adapted to the harsher climates of the north. That being said, Scholars have sometimes confused their skeletons when not properly labeled.

Anatomy

Mammoths are extremely large creatures that can stand up to fifteen feet tall at the shoulder and can reach up to nearly thirty feet in length. These creatures can weigh between nine thousand and thirty-two thousand pounds, making them by far the largest creatures in the world and one of the largest creatures in the tundra they call home.
These animals have extremely dense and strong bones that provide a measure of safety to their bodies which are covered in thick, hairy skin that is somewhat difficult to penetrate and keeps them warm in desolate conditions. Because of this and their size, Mammoths have few predators that prey on them, although younglings and the elders of the herd are often easy targets for predators like Sabre-Tooth Tigers.
Small ears and tails to reduce heat loss as well as thick fat define some of the Mammoths’ features. These allow them to thrive in the freezing climate of the Neither Tundra where the winds and snows never end. Their trunk also has special insulation that allows them to forage in the deep snow for the thin, stick-like brush they eat. Mammoths also have long tusks that can be used for protection.
Their heavy bones keep Mammoths from truly running or jumping, but these creatures can travel great distances at a slow gait, reaching speeds of up to ten miles per hour. Due to the lack of easy forage, these creatures may travel hundreds of miles in search of food and shelter that can house their herds. This gait allows them to travel for days while conserving energy in their search for more forage.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

While tundras can be found in both the north and south of the world, Mammoths are only found in the Neither Tundra, the northernmost point of the world. Similar conditions in the Giant Steps Three could also support a population of Mammoths, but Scholars have been unable to confirm whether this is true. In most instances, populations of Mammoths prefer the area around the Mammoth Glacier to make their homes, although small herds have been seen as far east as the coast north of the Cradle of Clay.

Mammoth

Mammoth by Image via Midjourney, created by Riverfang

Mammoths are only found in the Neither Tundra and often prefer the safety of the area surrounding the Mammoth Glacier, although small herds of the large creature live elsewhere throughout the tundra.

Scientific Name

Mammuthus primigenius

Lifespan

60 to 80 years

Average Height

12 to 15 ft at the shoulder

Average Weight

9000 to 32,000 lbs

Average Length

25 to 30 feet

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