Mastodon vs Mammoth: 7 Key Differences Explained

Imagine that you are walking through the forest and suddenly you stumble and fall. Straightening up, you see that you have stumbled upon a log of a strange kind. Upon further inspection, you realize that this is not a log at all, but a large tusk. It looks like an elephant tusk, but it is too large. Could this tusk belong to an extinct mastodon or mammoth? Perhaps, but how to distinguish a mastodon from a mammoth in order to determine which of them is which?

While this scenario is unlikely, it poses a common mystery to archaeologists studying these extinct massive mammals. Although mastodons and mammoths look similar to each other, they are not closely related to each other. Mastodons appeared about 25-27 million years ago, and mammoths appeared only about 5 million years ago. In terms of living relatives, mammoths have more in common with Asian elephants than African elephants. Meanwhile, the mastodons separated from the modern elephants and mammoths several million years ago. Given these differences, it is important to take the time to compare the two giants. In this article, we will discuss 7 key differences between the mastodon and the mammoth, as well as answer a few frequently asked questions about the two species.

Comparison of mastodons and mammoths

The term mastodon can describe any of the many different species found in Europe, Asia, and North America. However, from different species, M. americanum – or the American mastodon – probably the most famous and well-studied. However, we will take a moment to briefly introduce some of the other mastodons who once roamed the Earth.

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M. Matthewie

This species is strikingly similar to the American mastodon and may not be a unique species. The only known remains come from the Snake Creek Formation in Nebraska and date from the late Hemphill period. However, there may be other similar remains in China.

M. pacificus

Remains of this species date from the Pleistocene era and come from locations in California and Idaho. It is the most well-studied species apart from the American mastodon. They differed in different ways: M. pacificus they had narrower molars, fewer sacral vertebrae, thicker thighs, and no mandibular tusks.

M. crayfish

Remains of this species have been found in the Palomas Formation in New Mexico and date back to the Early to Middle Pliocene. Their molars became longer and narrower than those of the American mastodon. However, its taxonomy is controversial and it may not represent a distinct species.

Like the mastodon, the term mammoth can refer to nearly 10 different types of mammoths. The most famous of these is the woolly mammoth, because it appeared later than other species and is the best studied. However, we will take a moment to mention several other common mammoth species that may be represented in our comparison.

M. subplanifrons

South African mammoth – oldest representative Mammuthus… It appeared about 5 million years ago and has spread throughout southern and eastern Africa.

M. columbi

The Columbian mammoth spread throughout North America during the Pleistocene. Along with the woolly mammoth, it is one of the last living mammoths. This was probably due to the hybridization of woolly mammoths and steppe mammoths. The Channel Islands dwarf mammoths are likely descended from Colombian mammoths.

M. trogontherii

The steppe mammoth lived throughout the northern part of Eurasia during the Early and Middle Pleistocene, from about 1.8 million to 200 thousand years ago. He probably served as the ancestor of the woolly mammoths and Colombian mammoths that appeared during the late Pleistocene.

7 key differences between mastodons and mammoths

Mastodons and mammoths: distribution and habitat

Both mastodons and mammoths lived all over the world, they were not only in Australia or Antarctica. However, there are several differences in the distribution and preferred habitat of the mastodon over the mammoth. Judging by the remains found, the mastodons predominantly lived in North and Central America. They preferred to live in cold spruce forests containing most of their food sources. Meanwhile, mammoths lived mainly in the northern regions of North America, Europe and Asia. They usually roamed semi-arid tundra regions such as Siberia and northern Canada, although some populations also lived throughout East and South Africa.

Mastodons and mammoths: size

One of the most noticeable differences between a mastodon and a mammoth is their size. In general, mastodons appeared to be shorter and stockier than mammoths. They were usually 7 feet 7 to 9 feet 4 inches high at the shoulder. However, the tallest official specimen was 10.7 feet high. Meanwhile, mammoths were usually 8.9 to 15 feet tall, although some dwarf species were much smaller. In addition, while mastodons and mammoths weighed about the same, mastodons weighed more on average than smaller mammoth species. In general, mastodons weighed between 8.6 and 12 tons. On the other hand, while the largest mammoths weighed about the same size as the mastodons, the smaller mammoths weighed significantly less. For reference, mammoths usually weighed 6.6 to 11 tons.

Mastodons and mammoths: body

A few small but important features can help you tell the difference between a mastodon and a mammoth. Usually the legs of mastodons were much shorter than those of mammoths, which explains the difference in their height. However, the bodies of mastodons were usually longer than those of mammoths. Given these differences, the mastodons appeared to be much stockier and more muscular than the taller, lankier mammoths. In addition, the head of a mastodon looks rather flat compared to the head of a mammoth. The heads of mammoths have a convex protrusion at the top made from a protrusion of bone.

Mastodons and mammoths: hair

Both mastodons and mammoths had very long hair on their bodies. In its longest coat, these large pachyderms can reach 3 feet in length. However, the texture and distribution of their hair looked completely different. The hair of the mastodon grew more evenly over the body and had a shaggy structure. Although the colors varied, the hair of the mastodons usually looked brown, although it can vary depending on their habitat. On the other hand, the wool of the mammoth was more woolen, which is why the woolly mammoth got its name. In addition, some mammoth species grew hair less frequently, especially those that lived in warmer climates. Finally, while the tails of the mastodon became rather long and shaggy, the tails of mammoths tended to become less long and shaggy.

Mastodons and mammoths: teeth

One of the main ways archaeologists distinguish between mastodon and mammoth is by studying their teeth. The teeth of a mastodon do not look like the teeth of a mammoth because they are adapted to eat other foods. As browsers, mastodons have developed teeth capable of destroying woody vegetation. Their molars have evolved into pointed cones, in contrast to the flat molars of the mammoth. In fact, the name of mastodons translates from Greek as “nipple tooth” or “breast tooth” because their teeth are similar to nipples. The mammoth’s teeth, meanwhile, are more like those of modern grazing mammals that have evolved to chew on tough grass.

Mastodons and mammoths: tusks

Another obvious difference between a mastodon and a mammoth concerns the size and shape of their canines. Upon examination, it becomes clear that the tusks of the mastodon become much straighter and shorter than the tusks of the mammoth. The fangs of a mammoth usually bend strongly and may even begin to curve inward towards the face. Meanwhile, mastodon tusks tend to grow straight and bend only slightly at best. In addition, while mastodon tusks can grow up to 8 feet in length, mammoth tusks can grow much larger, reaching 16 feet in their very length. Finally, some mastodons have a small, thin chin tusk, while others lack a chin tusk.

Mastodons and mammoths: diet

As mentioned earlier, mastodons and mammoths have adapted to different climates and habitats. This adaptation has led to significant differences in their diets. In general, mastodons lived like vagabonds and ate twigs, leaves, and other woody vegetation common in spruce forests. On the other hand, mammoths grazed on pastures and ate tough grass and sedge. When they could access an abundant supply of food, any of these massive creatures could consume up to 400 pounds of vegetation in one day.

Frequently asked questions about mastodons and mammoths

When did the mastodons die out?

Mastodons became extinct at the end of the Pleistocene epoch, about 10-11 thousand years ago.

When did mammoths die out?

Mammoths live a little longer than mastodons. According to the fossil records, the last mammoths probably went extinct about 4,000 years ago, although most went extinct about 10,000 years ago.

Did mastodons and mammoths live in herds?

Like modern elephants, mastodons and mammoths probably lived in herds. However, males could live alone and probably moved between groups.