Pleistocene Animals & Ice Age Megafauna

01Cenozoic

They lived not on endless ice, but in a wind-shaped grassland ecosystem.

02Cenozoic

Its enormous canines were only part of the weapon; the real power lay in exceptionally strong forelimbs.

20Cenozoic

Standing on its hind legs, this elephant-sized sloth could reach high branches with huge claws.

21Cenozoic

A domed shell of fused armor protected this car-sized relative of armadillos.

22Cenozoic

The largest deer antlers known were seasonal structures for display and competition.

23Cenozoic

A heavy-jawed canid hunted the large herbivores of Ice Age America.

68Cenozoic

This long-necked hoofed mammal belonged to a uniquely South American lineage.

69Cenozoic

A heavy-bodied native ungulate grazed and browsed beside Ice Age giants.

70Cenozoic

This enormous grazing rhinoceros probably supported a large horn on its forehead.

71Cenozoic

A thick coat and flattened horn equipped this rhinoceros for cold, dry mammoth steppe.

94Cenozoic

A spiked tail club completed the armor of this giant glyptodont.

95Cenozoic

The largest known terrestrial lizard was a giant relative of monitor lizards.

96Cenozoic

A broad face, forward-looking eyes and single-toed feet distinguished this giant kangaroo.

97Cenozoic

This black-bear-sized beaver had ridged teeth and depended on extensive wetlands.

113Cenozoic

A massive body, broad feet and four ossicones made this giraffid resemble both deer and cattle.

114Cenozoic

Short blade-like canines, long forelimbs and a sloping back suited pursuit of large prey.

115Cenozoic

Ice Age art usually shows this immense cat without the heavy mane of many modern male lions.

179Cenozoic

This rhinoceros-sized marsupial clipped plants with two forward incisors and moved between seasonal water sources.

180Cenozoic

This two-meter flightless bird had a deep jaw and powerful legs, probably feeding on soft leaves, fruit and shoots.

243Cenozoic

Only the lower jaw carried tusks, curving downward beneath a body taller than most modern elephants.

249Cenozoic

It may have approached a tonne, with giant incisors capable of generating exceptional bite forces.

299Cenozoic

Thick hide reinforced by tiny bony nodules protected this large ground sloth.

300Cenozoic

Huge curved claws belonged to a forest browser whose name is tied to Thomas Jefferson.

335Cenozoic

Its near-condor wings paired with feet and a bill suited to taking live prey.