WWB Episode 7. Mammoth Journey

Pleistocene Netherlands
15,000 years ago (Late Pleistocene)
The Eurogeul

Near the end of the Pleistocene, the planet entered a prolonged period of climatic instability commonly called the Ice Age. During this time, up to 30% of the Earth was covered by ice, and a zone of permafrost stretched all the way from the edge of the glacial sheet into North America, Europe, and Asia. Many species in the colder regions were driven to extinction or were forced to move significant distances to find a suitable habitat. Some inhabitants of the colder regions were better adapted to icy climates, continuing to survive and even flourishing. Some of these animals included the woolly mammoth, the cave lion, and the Irish giant deer, all of which were spectacular mammals of the Ice Age. However, they would not rule the frozen wastelands alone, for a new species would soon rise above them; that species was none other than man himself.

Ah, yes, my throne it's here; the wintry episode you've all been waiting for! Anyways, this episode is mostly the same; the only difference is that the Neanderthal isn't present (  ) due to the fact that this episode takes place 15000 years ago rather than 40000 years ago. This episode focuses on a herd of woolly mammoths who go on a great migration to the Swiss Alps for the winter, and back to their home in the Netherlands for the spring; while traveling, they would need to keep the herd together in order to provide an exceptional defense against predators. Other than some more accurate color schemes (and the lack of a Neanderthal), well... nothing's really different, so enjoy.

Mammuthus primigenius (Woolly mammoth): This 3.4 meter tall elephant is the most famous extinct mammal to exist, being featured in many documentaries, (mostly inaccurate) movies, and scientific studies. It is an herbivore, feeding on grasses and sedges. A herd of these proboscideans will be the main characters of this episode; in order to escape the harsh, rigid winter, the herd will embark on a long journey to the Alps and stay there until spring comes. Pose based on a Scott Hartman skeletal.

Homo sapiens sapiens (Cro-Magnon): This 1.7 meter tall great ape is almost like the prototype of modern people like you and I, as it even belongs to the same genus as us. It is an omnivore, feeding on fruits, nuts, berries, seeds, plants, and roots, but also hunting herbivorous ungulates. In this episode, a tribe of these early humans will also travel to the Swiss Alps in order to save themselves from the cold; however, when the great apes and the elephants meet, tragedy will strike. Pose based on the skeletal to the left of this picture: www.internetlooks.com/hsapiens…

Canis lupus spelaeus (Cave wolf): This 1.5 meter long dog is one of the most specialized subspecies of the wolf, as it is adapted more towards preying on the many herbivores of the mammoth steppe. It is a predator, preying on herbivorous ungulates. In this episode, it will be nothing more than an ambient animal (booooooooriiiiiiiiing). Pose based on this picture: previews.123rf.com/images/newa…

Megaloceros giganteus (Irish giant deer): This 2.1 meter tall deer has the largest antlers out of any ungulate like it, and is commonly known as the "Irish elk" (despite being more related to fallow deer). It is an herbivore, feeding on grass and leaves. In this episode, rival males will rut for a mate; however, neither deer wins, as the victor gets hunted down by a tribe of Cro-Magnon. Pose based on this picture: cms-assets.tutsplus.com/upload…

Bison priscus (Steppe bison): This 2 meter tall bovid is one of the ancestors of the wisent (Bison bonasus), as it mated with the auroch (Bos primigenius) somewhat frequently. It is an herbivore, feeding on grass. In this episode, it will just serve to improve the atmosphere a bit (PC, how could you do this?). Pose based on 's reconstruction.

Panthera spelaea (Cave lion): This 2.1 meter long cat got its name due to the vast majority of fossils attributing to it being found in caves, and... it also happens to be one of 's favorite animals (  ). It is a predator, preying on herbivorous ungulates. In this episode, one of these panthers will try to hunt down a mammoth calf separated from the rest of the herd (with only his mother at his side), but will eventually fail; a pair of other lions have an easier time hunting down a Cro-Magnon. Pose based on 's reconstruction.

Coelodonta antiquitatis (Woolly rhinoceros): This 3.3 meter long rhinoceros has a thicker coat of hair than its closest extant relative, the Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis); as well as this, it has a unique color pattern. It is an herbivore, feeding on grass. In this episode, a Cro-Magnon will try to hunt down one individual, but will fail; he will also startle the rhino into charging its aggressor, leaving the hapless human no other choice than to run. Pose based on 's reconstruction.


OK, that concludes my WWB remake! Any thoughts on this episode? Maybe some on the entire remake?