Woolly mammoths lived in a frigid tundra environment. They could be found in Asia, Europe, and North America. While it was cold, it was not covered in snow and ice as is commonly depicted, but likely had a wide range of diverse plants to provide a healthy diet for woolly mammoths and other grazing animals, including woolly rhinos.
These giants lived from 400,000 years ago to about 10,000 years ago. Many factors contributed to the decline of the mammoth, which occurred during what was known as the Quaternary extinction event. Climate change may have limited food supply and habitat options, as the earth began to warm up. Human hunting also likely played a role. The very last isolated pockets of woolly mammoth died out around 4,000 years ago, though most mammoths had disappeared much earlier.
Neanderthals and early humans co-existed with mammoths, and used their meat for food, their fur for warmth, and their bones and hides for houses. They created art objects from the ivory of mammoth tusks as well.
Mammoths are also heavily featured in cave paintings created by early humans, which gives us insight into how these animals looked while alive.
