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La Brea Geology
La Brea Flora and
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Columbian Mammoth
Mammuthus columbi

Mammoth

An average Columbian mammoth stood over 12 feet tall at the shoulder and weighed over 10,000 pounds. The mammoth's primary diet consisted of grasses, which was quite different from the diets of their modern relatives, the Indian and African elephants. Yet, like these elephants, the Columbian mammoth had a set of four teeth that was replaced by new sets as the older teeth eventually became worn. This type of tooth replacement continued to produce six sets over the course of about 60 years and then, like all elephants, the mammoth would starve as the final set wore out.

 

Foot Note!
Columbian mammoth teeth grew in a process much like a conveyor belt. As one tooth was being used and worn, the next was starting to form and was ready to use when needed, right behind the existing one.
Mammoth tooth

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