How Woolly Mammoths Evolved Smaller Ears
Woolly mammoths, the shaggy, tusked giants that roamed the earth during the Pleistocene era, evolved smaller ears in response to colder climates and limited food sources, according to a new study published in the journal Nature Communications. The research team compared the fossilized remains of woolly mammoths with those of modern-day African elephants, and discovered that the ears of the mammoth grew smaller over time.
We’ve all heard of the woolly mammoth, the shaggy, tusked monster from the Pleistocene era. But did you know that these giants actually evolved smaller ears in order to survive the cold climates of the time? A new study published in Nature Communications has uncovered that woolly mammoths’ ears became smaller over time in comparison to those of modern-day African elephants. This adaptation likely helped the mammoths regulate their body temperature and conserve energy, enabling them to survive in the harsh environment.
source: Phys.org