The remains of Wooly mammoths have been found in northern Siberia, in such good condition that much can be learned about the animal. Although there are some reports that the flesh was perfectly preserved, strongly documented sources indicate that there was significant decay of the mammoth before freezing. The mammoths were most likely decayed slightly, then frozen and dried out later rather than being “flash frozen” as has been suggested. Scientists are currently searching for mammoth DNA intact enough to attempt a cloning project. The ivory from Wooly mammoth tusks has been a valuable trading piece for hundreds of years. Although as little as one hundred Wooly mammoth specimens have been recovered, it is thought that over 9 million mammoths are preserved in frozen soil of Russia.
The oldest Wooly mammoths found existed during the second to last Ice Age. These mammoths were known as the Mammuthus primigenius and were decended from Mammuthus trogontherii. As time went on, Wooly mammoths evolved to colder conditions by a reduction in body size, larger tusks, stronger teeth, smaller ears and trunk and a thicker coat. |
