Last updated: 4th August 2025
Where They Lived: Africa
Extinct Animals of Africa
Africa is a cornerstone in the story of life on Earth. Its stable landmass has been home to a continuous and rich variety of life for millions of years. This continent is not only the birthplace of humanity but also the stage for the evolution and diversification of countless prehistoric animals. From the ancient, forest-dwelling creatures of the Eocene to the powerful megafauna of the Ice Age, Africa has a rich fossil record that helps us understand the evolution of mammals and our own lineage.
The continent's diverse ecosystems, ranging from vast savannas to dense jungles, have supported a wide array of life, including early hominins and some of the most formidable predators to ever live. Fossils found here provide crucial links in the evolutionary chain, revealing how modern animals evolved from their prehistoric ancestors.
Featured animals from this location:
Smilodon
Smilodon was a powerful saber-toothed cat that lived in the Americas during the Ice Age. It had massive forelimbs and long, curved canine teeth, which it used to take down large prey.
Embolotherium
Embolotherium was a rhino-like herbivore from the Eocene of Central Asia. It had a large, bony crest on its head, possibly used for display or sound resonance, and browsed on soft vegetation.
Hyaenodon
Hyaenodon was a large carnivorous mammal that lived from the Eocene to Miocene epochs. It had a long skull with powerful jaws and was a dominant predator in its environment, capable of crushing bone with ease.
Gomphothere
Gomphothere was a large, elephant-like mammal that roamed the Americas during the Ice Age. It had a long trunk and distinctive tusks, which it used to dig for roots and strip bark from trees. Unlike modern elephants, some species had four tusks and a flatter skull, helping them adapt to diverse environments.
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© 2012 science-resources.co.uk. All rights reserved | Design by W3layouts
Where They Lived: Africa
Extinct Animals of Africa
Africa is a cornerstone in the story of life on Earth. Its stable landmass has been home to a continuous and rich variety of life for millions of years. This continent is not only the birthplace of humanity but also the stage for the evolution and diversification of countless prehistoric animals. From the ancient, forest-dwelling creatures of the Eocene to the powerful megafauna of the Ice Age, Africa has a rich fossil record that helps us understand the evolution of mammals and our own lineage.
The continent's diverse ecosystems, ranging from vast savannas to dense jungles, have supported a wide array of life, including early hominins and some of the most formidable predators to ever live. Fossils found here provide crucial links in the evolutionary chain, revealing how modern animals evolved from their prehistoric ancestors.
Featured animals from this location:
Smilodon
Smilodon was a powerful saber-toothed cat that lived in the Americas during the Ice Age. It had massive forelimbs and long, curved canine teeth, which it used to take down large prey.
Embolotherium
Embolotherium was a rhino-like herbivore from the Eocene of Central Asia. It had a large, bony crest on its head, possibly used for display or sound resonance, and browsed on soft vegetation.
Hyaenodon
Hyaenodon was a large carnivorous mammal that lived from the Eocene to Miocene epochs. It had a long skull with powerful jaws and was a dominant predator in its environment, capable of crushing bone with ease.
Gomphothere
Gomphothere was a large, elephant-like mammal that roamed the Americas during the Ice Age. It had a long trunk and distinctive tusks, which it used to dig for roots and strip bark from trees. Unlike modern elephants, some species had four tusks and a flatter skull, helping them adapt to diverse environments.
© 2012 science-resources.co.uk. All rights reserved | Design by W3layouts