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| Mammoth Model from the Royal BC Museum (Photo by Thomas Quine) |
Chemical signatures within the tusk are making this micro version of a GPS possible. Annual layers reveal different atomic structures, which are then compared with those from the teeth of rodents across Alaska. By matching tusk layers with these teeth, scientists can determine which part of Alaska the mammoth was in from year to year.
This particular beast was well traveled. After leaving his original herd at about age 15, he would sometimes go hundreds of miles within a few months. Chances are he was searching for that ideal spot, which he never seems to have found.
Nitrogen traces within his final tusk layer hint that he died of starvation at age 28. More fortunate mammoths have lived well into their 80s.
Resources
https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/mammoth-tusk-1.6139008
Copyright August 15, 2021 by Linda Van Slyke All Rights Reserved
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