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TUSKS! Exhibit Guide

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Mammoths and Mastodons, extinct relatives of modern elephants, roamed much of North America until the end of the last Ice Age, 10,000 years ago. TUSKS!: Ice Age Mammoths and Mastodons tells the story of these fabulous creatures, and some of their close relatives and neighbors, as revealed by fossil discoveries and current research.

Early proboscideans — large beasts with tusks and a long, flexible trunk or proboscis — originated in the Old World. They entered North America at various times in the past when a land bridge from Asia allowed passage during times of lower sea level. The first arrived 15 million years ago and included mastodons, shoveltuskers, spiraltuskers, and gomphotheres. Mammoths arrived in North America about 2 million years ago. The proboscideans were giants in ancient ecosystems populated by a wide diversity of animals and plants.

This exhibition features 80 specimens that include extinct proboscideans and some of their Ice Age neighbors, such as carnivores, horses, giant ground sloths and giant armadillos. Colorful interpretive banners feature artists' reconstructions of the animals and photo murals of scientists at work.

Fundamentally grounded in current research, the exhibit also explores questions of scientific interest today. Did humans play a role in the extinction of North American proboscideans? How do we determine the diets of the ancient giants? Can we reconstruct the climates and ecosystems in which they lived? Visitors leave with new knowledge about fossil proboscideans and an appreciation of science as an ongoing process.

Don't miss this fascinating exhibit, only at VMNH from September 27, 2008 through January 4, 2009.

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National Exhibit Sponsors: Florida Museum Associates, National Science Foundation, Pony Express, State of Florida, Toomey Foundation, University of Florida.