A New York homeowner found Mastodon fossils in his backyard. This discovery comes more than a decade (11 years) after the last Mastodon fossil was found. According to The New York State Museum, the man from Orange County first noticed teeth partially buried in the soil near a plant on their property in Scotchtown.
Intrigued, he dug a little deeper and unearthed more teeth just beneath the surface, ultimately leading to the discovery of a complete mastodon jawbone along with a toe and rib fragments.
The fossil, belonging to an adult mastodon, was spotted protruding from the ground. The homeowner seemed thrilled to have found such a crucial scientific discovery in his backyard and told BBC News:
"When I found the teeth and examined them in my hands, I knew they were something special and decided to call in the experts."
According to the director of Research & Collections and curator of Ice Age Animals at the New York State Museum, Dr. Robert Feranec said in a statement,
“This mastodon jaw provides a unique opportunity to study the ecology of this magnificent species, which will enhance our understanding of the Ice Age ecosystems from this region. Each discovery like this one brings us one step closer to piecing together the full story of New York.”
The Mastodon went extinct approximately 13,000 years ago because of the severe climate change that was caused just before the last ice age was about to end. Mastodons, though smaller than mammoths, were similar in size to modern elephants.
Adult males could weigh as much as 6 tons (5,443 kilograms) and stand up to 10 feet (3.1 meters) tall, while females generally reached heights of about 7 feet (2.1 meters).
What does this Mastodon discovery mean to the New York State Museum?
Interim Deputy Commissioner for Cultural Education at the New York State Museum, Michael Mastroianni said:
"The New York State Museum is proud to be home to some of the most talented scientists and researchers in the state and across the nation. This discovery highlights the Museum's unwavering mission to empower vital scientific research that reveals the profound changes shaping our environment and inspiring actionable steps toward a more sustainable future."
Dr. Cory Harris Chair of SUNY Orange’s Behavioral Sciences Department stated:
“While the jaw is the star of the show, the additional toe and rib fragments offer valuable context and the potential for additional research. We are also hoping to further explore the immediate area to see if there are any additional bones that were preserved."
More about the American Mastodon
Orange County has emerged as a key location for Mastodon discoveries, accounting for a third of the 150 Mastodon fossils found in New York so far, as reported by the New York State Museum.
The American Mastodon once roamed throughout much of North America, ranging from Alaska down to central Mexico. Various other species of mastodons were found across the globe, with their fossils being relatively common and well-preserved in deposits from the pre-ice-age and ice-age eras.
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In fact, several nearly complete skeletons have been discovered, some even containing preserved hair.
In the American areas, paleontologists have unearthed mastodon fossils in locations like National City and Oceanside, California. Additional remains have been recovered from the Rancho La Brea tar pits, and nearby sites around Temecula and Hemet.
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