Overkill hypothesis

The Overkill Hypothesis suggests that humans played a significant role in the extinction of large animals, like mammoths and saber-toothed cats, during the last Ice Age. As humans migrated into new areas, they hunted these large species aggressively. The term "overkill" refers to the idea that humans hunted these animals to extinction faster than they could reproduce. This hypothesis highlights the impact of human activity on the environment and biodiversity, emphasizing how hunting practices can lead to the rapid decline of vulnerable species.