Ten Remarkable Ancient Elephants: From Tiny Aquatic Creatures to Massive Shovel-Tusked Giants

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A wide variety of the exotic animals evolved on Earth over the past 60 million years

Riley Black – Science Correspondent

April 3, 2025 8:00 a.m.

In the not-so-distant past, the resonant calls of elephants filled varied landscapes across the globe. These majestic creatures were not limited to Africa and southern Asia; their prehistoric relatives traversed regions from ancient Portugal, across Eurasia, into the frigid terrains of Alaska, and even reached South America during the Ice Age, roughly spanning from 11,700 to 2 million years ago. During this time, mammoths, mastodons, and other forms of elephants were integral to their ecosystems. Delving deeper into history reveals even more peculiar forms of these remarkable animals.

Elephants, known scientifically as Proboscidea, have existed for about 60 million years, originating in an Earth characterized by a climate resembling a global greenhouse, where early tropical rainforests began to take shape. From modest beginnings, these ancient creatures evolved into the sizable, herbivorous giants we now associate with the family, featuring a fascinating variety of tusk shapes and arrangements. Mammoths are merely one facet of this rich lineage. Here, we delve into ten remarkable examples from elephant history, showcasing the diverse forms these magnificent animals have taken throughout the Age of Mammals.

Phosphatherium

In terms of appearance, Phosphatherium might have resembled a large hyrax more than a modern elephant. Existing around 56 million years ago, this creature was small, comparable in size to today’s hyraxes, and significantly smaller than contemporary elephants. Nonetheless, fossil evidence from Morocco indicates it possessed distinctive features that align closely with elephants, such as a specific upper jaw structure that bordered the eye socket and enlarged lower incisor teeth.

Research on the microscopic wear of Phosphatherium‘s teeth suggests it primarily consumed leaves from shrubs and bushes, occasionally supplementing its diet with insects and small animals. Notably, the tooth structure points to the early development of the broad grinding molars that characterize modern elephants.

Moeritherium

Moeritherium, discovered in Egypt’s Fayum desert in 1901, was a peculiar semi-aquatic mammal that inhabited ancient swamps approximately 36 million years ago. This animal stood about two feet tall at the shoulder and weighed over 500 pounds. Its skull was elongated and low, marked by large, tusk-like incisor teeth.

Although not a direct ancestor of contemporary elephants, Moeritherium belonged to an early lineage that flourished in Africa’s wet habitats before disappearing entirely. Evidence suggests it lived a lifestyle similar to that of hippos, spending significant time in the water and foraging for aquatic plants.

Barytherium

For over 20 million years, most proboscideans were relatively small, lacking the tusked features we associate with modern elephants. However, around 33 million years ago, the landscape shifted, and larger forms began to emerge. Found in Egypt, Barytherium was among these early giants, towering over six feet at the shoulder and weighing around two tons. Its skull featured four short tusks in both jaws and likely possessed a fleshy snout.

While Barytherium isn’t a direct ancestor of modern elephants, it represents a significant stride towards larger sizes and innovative tusk formations during the evolution of proboscideans.

Deinotherium

First named in 1829, Deinotherium, known as the “terrible beast,” perplexed early paleontologists who were unsure whether it was a giant tapir or a massive relative of modern manatees. Eventually, it was recognized as a large herbivorous giant that roamed Europe and Africa between 1 million and 15 million years ago.

This impressive creature could reach over 12 feet at the shoulder and weigh more than ten tons, notable for having tusks exclusively in the lower jaw, which curved backward. While the precise function of these tusks remains debated, one theory posits they were utilized to clear foliage as Deinotherium foraged for leaves.

Amebelodon

Among the most intriguing of the fossil elephants are the “shovel-tuskers,” including Amebelodon, which roamed North America between 5 million and 15 million years ago. Instantly recognizable for its elongated lower jaw with flat, shovel-like tusks, originally thought to suggest a diet of soft aquatic plants, later studies indicated this animal would have used its jaws to scrape and cut tree bark while foraging in forests.

Stegodon

While many fossil elephants were colossal, some species of Stegodon adapted to their smaller island environments, such as those on the Pacific island of Flores, reaching only about four feet tall at the shoulder. Larger species could tower over 12 feet. The evolution of smaller size on islands often corresponds to limited resources, leading to a more sustainable existence. The absence of large carnivores also contributed to their survival on these landmasses.

Stegotetrabelodon

A cultural parallel can be drawn between Stegotetrabelodon and the mythical Oliphaunts from J.R.R. Tolkien’s works. These substantial elephants may have exceeded 13 feet in height and weighed over 11 tons. Fossils discovered across Africa and into the Arabian Peninsula provide insights into their social structures, as evidenced by trackways in the United Arab Emirates that indicate they moved in herds.

Palaeoloxodon

The straight-tusked elephant, Palaeoloxodon, was prevalent throughout Europe and western Asia during the last Ice Age. Reaching heights of over 13 feet and weights surpassing 13 tons, these elephants thrived in forested areas, consuming a varied plant diet. Evidence indicates that early humans interacted with them, as tools associated with Neanderthals have been found alongside their fossils.

Cuvieronius

Approximately 2.7 million years ago, a significant event reshaped ancient America when North and South America reconnected, facilitating the migration of various species, including Cuvieronius. This elephant traversed from North America to South America, adapting to a forest environment and competing with other herbivores like mammoths and mastodons until around 12,000 years ago.

Mammut

Mammut, often referred to as American mastodons, emerged around eight million years ago in North America. Preferring warmer, forested habitats, they thrived during interglacial periods, contrasting with the cold tundras favored by mammoths. Though smaller and stockier than their relatives, with distinctively bumpy teeth, Mammut played a key role in its ecosystem but ultimately succumbed to extinction alongside many megafauna around 11,000 years ago.

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