American Elephant
Cuvieronius hyodon
Conservation Status
Data DeficientMammalia · Proboscidea · Gomphotheriidae
About
Cuvieronius is an extinct New World genus of gomphothere which ranged from southern North America to northwestern South America during the Pleistocene epoch. Reaching a shoulder height of 2.3 metres (7.5 ft) and a body mass of 3.5 tonnes (7,700 lb), it was comparable in size to an Asian elephant. Cuvieronius inhabited subtropical and tropical latitudes in environments ranging from grasslands to tropical rainforest. Among the last gomphotheres along with the South American Notiomastodon, it became extinct as part of the end Pleistocene-extinction event, approximately 12-11,000 years ago, along with most other large mammals in the Americas. The extinctions followed the arrival of humans to the Americas, and evidence has been found for human hunting of Cuvieronius, which may have been a factor in its extinction.
Fun Fact
Cuvieronius inhabited subtropical and tropical latitudes in environments ranging from grasslands to tropical rainforest.
Quick Facts
Habitat
To be updated
Diet
Consumed a wide range of plant resources, including grasses and browse (the leaves and twigs of plants like trees and shrubs).
Lifespan
To be updated
Threats
- Habitat Change
- Human Disturbance