Animals are extraordinary, and they can surprise us each day. Over thousands of years, so many mammals have walked across the face of the earth, and sadly, quite a few will never be able to encounter us. All we can do is remember and admire them from afar.
1. Woolly Mammoth
If you were an Ice Age fan, you’d know all about the Woolly Mammoth and how incredible they were. These fantastic creatures used to roam the icy landscapes of Europe, North America, and Asia. Unfortunately, they disappeared around 4,000 years ago, likely due to climate change and overhunting.
2. Quagga
If you stumble upon one of these in the wild, you might be confused about whether it’s a zebra or a horse. Quagga zebras are a special zebras breed with a half-striped, half-brown coat. They were once native to South Africa but were hunted to extinction by European settlers in the late 19th century.
3. Steller’s Sea Cow
These gentle giants were only discovered in the 18th century, and within a few years, they were extinct. They could reach up to 30 feet long and weigh over 10 tons. Because of their gentle temperament, they made for an easy target for hunters. They were the slow-moving relatives of manatees and dugongs and thrived in kelp-rich coastal areas.
4. Giant Ground Sloth
These giant mammals were slow-moving, could reach up to 20 feet in length, and weighed over 4,000 pounds. Unlike today’s sloths, these massive creatures used their claws to strip leaves from trees and dig for roots. They most likely went extinct around 10,000 years ago due to habitat loss and hunting.
5. Tasmanian Tiger
This interesting creature once roamed Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea. This fascinating mammal wasn’t a tiger at all but a unique predator with a dog-like body, a pouch like a kangaroo, and powerful jaws capable of crushing bones. They were overly hunted in the 1800s as people believed that they were a threat to livestock, and they went extinct not long after.
6. Pyrenean Ibex
These agile mammals, known for their impressive curved horns and incredible climbing skills, thrived in steep, rocky terrains where few predators could reach them. They roamed the mountains of Spain and Southern France before, like most animals, they went extinct due to overhunting and habitat loss. Once the last known female named Celia perished, they were declared extinct.
7. Baiji
This freshwater dolphin loved swimming in China’s Yangtze River and adapted perfectly to its murky waters. However, in 2006, humans caused severe habitat disruptions, declaring it the first dolphin species to vanish due to human activity.
8. Caribbean Monk Seal
These mammals were first spotted in 1494 during Christopher Columbus’s second voyage. They were pretty friendly and playful, making them an easy target for hunters wanting them for their blubber for oil. The last confirmed sighting was in 1952, and after decades of unsuccessful searches, the species was declared extinct in 2008. Habitat loss also played a significant role in their extinction.
9. Saber-Toothed Cat
These cats roamed the grasslands and forests of the Americas during the Ice Age. They had dagger-like canine teeth that could grow up to seven inches long, and they usually attacked prey much larger than they were. The biggest reason for their extinction was most likely a change in habitat and the loss of their primary food source, and they eventually went extinct around 10,000 years ago.
10. Falkland Islands Wolf
Uncertainty can often lead to some of the biggest mistakes in history, and the extinction of these mammals was one of these examples. When European explorers arrived in the 17th century, they saw the warrah as a threat to livestock despite the fact that it primarily fed on seabirds and small animals. This species was eventually declared extinct in 1876, which was sad indeed.
11. Bluebuck
These antelope regions of Africa were once known for their vibrant blue-gray coats and elegant, slender build. This magnificent creature was mainly found in the Cape region of South Africa and went extinct in the early 19th century. They were naturally extinct due to habitat loss and overhunting.
12. Japanese Sea Lion
These mammals had the same playful nature as modern sea lions, making them easy targets for hunters. In 1974, they were declared extinct due to unregulated hunting and habitat loss.
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