Zoo Tycoon - Zoo Tycoon 2: Extinct Animals

Zoo Tycoon 2: Extinct Animals

	American Mastodon Mammut americanum The American mastodon—with its shaggy brown coat, stocky legs, huge head, and flexible trunk—roamed the spruce forests of North America, especially the northeastern and Great Lakes regions of the United States, until about 12,000 years ago. It used its nearly horizontal tusks to break tree branches, and its conical-shaped teeth were adept at chewing the tough leaves that were a central part of its diet.
	Ankylosaurus Ankylosaurus magniventris The Ankylosaurus had short legs, which limited its speed, but this immense tank of a beast was very agile. Besides its great size and armored plating, the Ankylosaurus’s most notable feature was its clublike tail, which it could swing with great force. It could easily defeat even the largest attackers. However, unlike other dinosaurs armed with similar equipment, there is no evidence that it used its appendage in tail-to-tail combat with other males during mating season.
	Aurochs Bos primigenius The habitat of the aurochs, an immense species of wild ox, extended across Europe and North Africa to Asia. The aurochs was domesticated in Asia around 6000 BC. By 2000 BC, domesticated aurochs appeared in Greece and perhaps in India. This domesticated line eventually spread to Switzerland and Germany, and then to the British Isles. The wild aurochs population declined as its habitat decreased with the growth of farms and cities, and the species became extinct in the 1600s. A few modern cattle breeds, including Highland cattle from Scotland, resemble their distant relative, the aurochs.
	Bluebuck Hippotragus leucophaeus The bluebuck, also called the blue antelope, looked similar to other species in the antelope family. It had two medium-length sweeping horns, no mane, and a darker coat on top with a white underbelly. The bluebuck lived in the southwestern coastal area of South Africa and became extinct around 1800. This delicate antelope may have preferred blossoms to bushes: The particular grasslands that this species inhabited were—and are today—some of the most biologically rich lands on the planet, and the plant life is colored by an abundance of flowers, mostly of the daisy family.
	Bush-Antlered Deer Eucladoceros dicranios This ancient, regal-looking deer lived more than 50,000 years ago. It was crowned with the most elaborate set of antlers in the deer family. The two pedicles that branched out from the top of its head each ended in twelve tines. Like today's deer, only the male of the species bore antlers, which fell off and grew again each year. As with other antlered creatures, the bush-antlered deer used its massive antler array not only as a weapon against rivals but also to attract a mate.
	Carnotaurus Carnotaurus sastrei The Carnotaurus lived during the Cretaceous Period, more than 91 million years ago. While most dinosaur fossils have been found in North America, fossils of the Carnotaurus were discovered in Argentina, South America. It had knobby horns over its eyebrows, which it used for head butting and during mating rituals. The Carnotaurus may have had a thing for bling: It wore a backward-pointing spike on the back of each of its four-fingered “hands” like modern-day jewelry.
	Cave Lion Panthera leo spelaea Also called the European or Eurasian cave lion, this massive cat lived more than 10,000 years ago, and, as its name suggests, it slept in natural caves during the winter. Its size, speed, and strength made it a formidable predator. The male cave lion was unadorned with the stylish ruff of mane and matching tail worn by today's modern lions, going instead for the sleeker look of a major predator. Its one concession to fashion was its coat, which it probably changed with the seasons, becoming white in winter to blend into its snowy habitat.
	Deinonychus Deinonychus antirrhopus Until the discovery of Deinonychus, dinosaurs were thought to be slow-moving herbivores. By contrast, this predator was swift and agile, and probably hunted its prey in packs. Deinonychus had an enormous claw on the second toe of each hind foot. Scientists used to think this dinosaur used the claw in a slashing movement to kill its prey, but new research shows it’s more likely to have used it to stab and hold down prey while it tore it to shreds with its razor-sharp teeth. In any case, when Deinonychus is on a rampage—look out!
	Deinosuchus Deinosuchus hatcheri Deinosuchus was larger than even the biggest of the modern living reptiles, and was much like the modern crocodile. It lived in similar habitats, followed equivalent mating patterns, and exhibited the same hunting characteristics of today's crocs, including the dramatic grab-and-roll technique for which crocodiles are famous. But its diet probably included one treat today’s crocodiles never get to snack on: fresh dinosaur meat!
	Dimetrodon Dimetrodon angelensis The trademark sail on Dimetrodon’s back increased the size of its surface skin by up to 50 percent. This flashy sail may have been used to attract a mate. Although it likely chased its prey on land, Dimetrodon may also have waded in streams to catch fish. Dimetrodon may have been manner conscious: Although many similarly sized creatures swallowed their prey whole, Dimetrodon chewed its meals before swallowing.
	Diprotodon Diprotodon optatum The Diprotodon became extinct some 40,000 to 50,000 years ago due to a combination of causes that probably included climate change and hunting by early man. Like the kangaroo, the Diprotodon had a pouch in which it carried its young, but unlike the kangaroo, it used all four legs for walking. Its head was similar in shape to that of today's wombat, and its huge body ended in a tiny, quite adorable tail. This stocky marsupial may have been community minded, living with others of its kind in herds. Modern relatives of the Diprotodon include the wombat and the koala.
	Dodo Raphus cucullatus The dodo is best known for its humorous appearance. It had a large, oddly shaped, hooked bill; undeveloped wings similar to those found on penguins, unsuitable for flight; short yellow legs; and a silly tuft of feathers on its tail end. Although most depictions of the dodo in captivity show this shy bird as being fat and stocky, the wild dodo may have been quite slim. Dodos were introduced to the general public after being imported to Europe, where, it is speculated, they became more rotund in captivity. Dodos were last observed in 1681. The dodo’s modern relatives include pigeons and doves.
	Doedicurus Doedicurus clavicaudatus Doedicurus, an immense armadillo, thrived in the southern Americas until 15,000 years ago, when it likely succumbed to climate changes. Unlike modern armadillos, Doedicurus had a long, bony tail that ended in a dangerous, macelike array of spikes. Its enormous size limited the number of predators that could take it on. But its size could also be a detriment: Doedicurus was a heavy, lumbering glyptodont that could get wedged between rocks and stuck in mud, leaving it vulnerable to attack. Modern relatives of the Doedicurus include the armadillo, sloth, and anteater.
	Dwarf Sicilian Elephant Elephas falconeri While many extinct creatures of the Pleistocene Period were extremely large versions of animals living today, some, like the dwarf Sicilian elephant, were much smaller than their modern counterparts. This tiny island pachyderm probably evolved from a much larger elephant. Like some other ancient animals, it underwent a process called “insular dwarfism”: Animals isolated on islands can become smaller over many generations, if a lack of predators makes it unnecessary to maintain a large size and smallness is an advantage where food is not abundant. A full-grown dwarf Sicilian elephant probably weighed about the same as a newborn Asian elephant.
	Elephant Bird Aepyornis maximus The elephant bird was the heaviest bird that ever lived. It became extinct about 350 years ago, possibly due to deforestation and colonization of its habitat. Although it wasn’t hunted, elephant bird eggshells found in fire remains suggest humans probably scrambled its eggs for breakfast. Explorer Marco Polo wrote of a giant bird that would pick up an elephant, fly into the air, and then drop it to its death. Although his story may have played a part in naming this bird, it was certainly a tall tale. Like the ostrich, the elephant bird was a ratite: It could not fly.
	Giant Camel Titanotylopus spatulus An extremely large ancestor of the modern camel, the giant camel lived during the Miocene and Pleistocene eras and traveled widely across the United States. Fossils have been found in Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, and Arizona. It resembled the modern camel and included standard camel luggage—its well-known hump. Its hump and padded toes were probably two or three times the size of today’s camels. And there was one other sad difference between the two. Unlike the modern camel, the giant camel had no lacrimal vacuities: It could not cry.
	Giant Ground Sloth Megatherium americanum The giant ground sloth ranged across the Americas, from Texas all the way south to Argentina, until about 8,000 years ago. This gigantic, fur-covered sloth was a quadruped, but it could walk on its hind legs by steadying itself with its enormous tail. It had long claws which it used to pull down leafy branches and dig up plants at mealtime. With its immense size and formidable claws, the giant ground sloth had little to fear in the way of predators. Its modern relatives include tree sloths, armadillos, and anteaters.
	Giant Warthog Metridiochoerus andrewsi The giant warthog resembled the modern warthog but was somewhat larger. It is believed to have fed, like its modern counterpart, on grass, berries, bark, roots, and carrion. It was likely family oriented, with a social life similar to that of the modern warthog. One or two females with young formed small groups, which a male might join briefly during mating season; young males formed bachelor groups, but older males were solitary. Its nocturnal habits were also likely to have been similar: Usually active during the day, this giant creature probably slept the night away in a burrow.
	Gigantopithecus Gigantopithecus blacki Gigantopithecus, the biggest ape that ever lived, was probably a ground dweller, as it was much too heavy to have moved through the trees like today’s monkeys. It consumed huge quantities of plants in order to fuel its massive system, and it had just the right kind of teeth for the job—large molars housed in big jaws. In fact, the only Gigantopithecus fossils recovered so far have been jawbones and teeth. Scientists have used these fossils to extrapolate the size, shape, and habits of this immense creature, largely by comparisons to fossils of similar species.
	Kentrosaurus Kentrosaurus The Kentrosaurus was into heavy armor: It had plates and long spikes along its back and tail, and a spike that protruded from each shoulder, which it used to protect itself from predators. Unlike similar ornamentation found on some other dinosaurs, the Kentrosaurus’s plates and spikes were not connected to its bone structure. This slow-moving dino walked on all four feet, but it could rise up on its hind legs to reach higher vegetation. Rather than the standard claws found on most dinosaurs, the unusual feet of the Kentrosaurus were more like hoofs.
	Protarchaeopteryx Protarchaeopteryx robusta This groundbreaking dinosaur was unknown until just recently: It was first unearthed in the mid-1990s. The feathered Protarchaeopteryx looked more like a bird than a dinosaur. In fact, it is considered by some scientists to be a missing link in the evolution between dinosaurs and birds. Although Protarchaeopteryx could not fly, its long legs suggest it could run very fast. Protarchaeopteryx means “ancient early wing,” a reference to this dino’s connection to birds.
	Saber-Toothed Cat Smilodon fatalis The saber-toothed cat, commonly called the saber-toothed tiger, was a large, powerful feline about the size of a lion and lived more than 11,000 years ago. It had long, curved canine teeth shaped like sabers. Because its short, muscular legs provided power but not speed, the saber-toothed cat probably fed on slow-moving prey such as American mastodons. Some scientists believe the size of a saber-toothed cat’s teeth may have helped it establish dominance among other cats or attract a mate, similar to the function of horns and antlers in other male animals.
	Short-Faced Bear Arctodus simus The short-faced bear was the biggest bear that ever lived and the biggest land predator in the Americas during the Ice Age. It was almost twice as big as today’s brown bear. With its short muzzle, powerful jaws, and formidable teeth, the short-faced bear was a dominant hunter capable of killing large animals. Its prey likely included bison, deer, elk, and camels. This massive beast may have been more diet conscious than today’s full-figured bears: Its long legs and straight toes, while enabling it to run fast, also gave the short-faced bear a more slender profile.
	Sivatherium Sivatherium maurusium The Sivatherium lived more than 8,000 years ago and was the largest member of the giraffe family that ever lived. Unlike the long and lean giraffe, the Sivatherium’s body was stout, and its legs were relatively short. It looked more like a heavily built antelope, and its powerful shoulders and short, strong neck supported a broad, heavy head with wide ossicones, or hair-covered horns. Not content with one set of ossicones, the Sivatherium had an extra pair of bony growths that protruded above its eyes. Its closest living relative is the Okapi, or forest giraffe.
	Stegosaurus Stegosaurus stenops The Stegosaurus was the only plated dinosaur ever found in western North America. It had 17 attractive, triangular dermal plates, similar to those found in modern crocodiles and some lizards, along the length of its spine. The Stegosaurus’s weapon of choice was its tail, which was adorned with four vicious-looking spikes. In spite of its impressive weaponry, it became extinct about 145 million years ago. In brain-to-size ratio, the Stegosaurus had the smallest brain of any dinosaur. It was roughly the size of a walnut!
	Stokesosaurus Stokesosaurus clevelandi The Stokesosaurus lived during the Late Jurassic Period and became extinct about 145 million years ago. It was named after a geologist whose last name was Stokes. The Stokesosaurus is a mysterious creature; very little is known about this dinosaur. In fact, only a few bones, including a hip bone, a few vertebrae, and a partial braincase, have been unearthed so far. Its fossils have been found only in Utah, in the United States. Its sole claim to fame: The Stokesosaurus may be related to the very popular Tyrannosaurus rex.
	Styracosaurus Styracosaurus albertensis Styracosaurus, an ancestor of Triceratops, was dressed with an impressive variety of protective horns and spikes: It had one large horn on its snout, a smaller horn above each eye, and an attractive neck frill ridged with dangerous spikes. It likely used the frill not only for protection from predators such as T. rex but also as a display during mating combats. The underside of the neck frill contained a dense network of blood vessels that regulated body temperature. In spite of its ferocious looks, Styracosaurus was probably a neighborly creature that lived in herds.
	Thylacine Thylacinus cynocephalus Although the thylacine was a marsupial, it was the size of a small wolf and looked like a dog—except for the parts that looked like a kangaroo. It had a tapered hind end and a long, stiff, kangaroolike tail, which accounted for about half its length. It could balance upright and hop on its hind legs, stabilized by its rigid tail, and also had a ready-made pouch on its abdomen in which it carried its young. While the kangaroo is an herbivore, the thylacine’s diet was markedly wolflike: It was a carnivore. The last known thylacine lived in an Australian zoo until its death in 1936.
	Triceratops Triceratops horridus Triceratops, a descendant of Styracosaurus, was one of the short-frilled ceratopids. Its distinctive ornamentation included horns on its snout and above its eyes, and a short, spiked neck frill. Unlike the longer, softer frill of the Styracosaurus, the frill of the Triceratops was short and rigid. It was likely used in both defense and as a display during mating combats. The Triceratops’s spikes weren’t its only impressive feature. Its massive skull was also distinctive: It was so large, it made up about a third of the dinosaur’s body length.
	Tyrannosaurus Rex Tyrannosaurus rex The Tyrannosaurus had an immense head, rows of terrifying, pointed teeth, and a bone-crushing bite. In fact, it was one of the biggest land-based carnivores that ever lived, and had an appetite to match: Its stomach could hold more than half a metric ton of meat. Need proof that Tyrannosaurus rex preyed upon plant-eating dinosaurs? The frill of a Triceratops was found in the fossilized dung of a Tyrannosaurus. But questions still remain: Scientists still don’t know how fast this giant beast moved, or whether it was primarily a scavenger or a predator.
	Utahraptor Utahraptor ostrommaysorum Utahraptor ostrommaysorum is the only known species of Utahraptor and the largest member of the Dromaeosauridae family. This theropod walked upright on massive hind limbs, and, like its cousins Deinonychus and Velociraptor, it featured a menacing claw on the second toe of each foot that it used to kill its prey. Its famous claw could grow up to 23 cm (almost 9 in) long! Utahraptor walked with the sharp claws raised above the ground to protect its most valuable weapon.
	Velociraptor Velociraptor mongoliensis The Velociraptor belongs to a group of dinosaurs that has been linked to Archaeopteryx—also known as ancient birds. In fact, these dinosaurs are often referred to as “raptors,” a term that is also used to describe modern birds of prey such as vultures and falcons. Much smaller than its immense cousin Deinonychus, wolf-size Velociraptor walked on its hind legs and used its long tail for balance. Although its hindquarters were much larger than its puny arms, the Velociraptor made up for its lack of size with nimble hands that it could use to grasp its struggling dinner.
	Warrah Dusicyon australis With its reddish-brown coat and white-tipped tail, the warrah resembled other species of fox or a small wolf. Ancient cavemen may have warmed up to this best friend: The warrah’s comparative tameness has led some to suggest that it may have been brought to the Falkland Islands by prehistoric man and domesticated, retaining some of its domestic behavior after the original human inhabitants left. Instead of howling like the foxes it resembled, the warrah is said to have barked like a dog. The warrah was last seen in 1876.
	Woolly Rhinoceros Coelodonta antiquitatis The woolly rhinoceros was similar in build to the modern rhinoceros, but it was well insulated with fat and covered in a thick layer of long, shaggy hair, which helped it survive in the cold, snowy conditions found across northern Europe and Asia. Like modern-day rhinos, the woolly rhinoceros lived alone or in small family groups. It may have been a gardener at heart: It mowed the grass with its short teeth and sometimes used its long horn to dig up plants for dinner.