Pleistocene Megafauna

Pleistocene megafauna refers to the large animals that roamed the Earth during the Pleistocene Epoch, which lasted from about 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago. Notable examples include mammoths, saber-toothed cats, and giant ground sloths. These creatures were adapted to cold climates and diverse environments. The end of the Pleistocene saw many of these species go extinct, likely due to a combination of climate change and hunting by early humans. The study of megafauna helps scientists understand past ecosystems and the factors that lead to species extinction.