Prehistory animals: all air animals, terrestrial and extinct sailors

More than 90% of the species that have lived on Earth throughout its 4.5 billion year history have become extinct.

The great climatic changes, land displacements, battles for survival and the devastating appearance of the human being have given way to a continuous transformation of the ecosystem, to the disappearance of prehistoric animals (terrestrial, marine, herbivorous, omnivorous... ) and the emergence of new species.

The discovery of new frozen fossils has aroused curiosity to learn more about these extinct prehistoric animals, to the point of wanting to bring them back to life. Thanks to advances in science and technology, scientists believe that in a very short time we could see some of these live specimens.

Do you know which were the largest flying prehistoric animals? Could you name more than 3 carnivorous prehistoric animals? Do you have any idea which prehistoric species have managed to survive to the present day?

Continue reading to learn about these and many other details along with interesting photos of prehistoric animals that lived on our planet millions of years ago.

Prehistoric extinct animals

Prehistoric flying animals extinct

It is estimated that more than 190 species of birds have become extinct since the year 1500 due to environmental changes and indiscriminate hunting by part of humans Below we leave you a list with the prehistoric names of extinct flying animals, their particular characteristics and all the details of their lives and their environment...

Carnivores

Meganeura

This ancient and gigantic insect inhabited the earth 300 million years ago in the Carboniferous period. It looks similar to current dragonflies, in fact among the species of this animal is the Meganeura Monyi, a direct relative of the dragonfly.

Its fossils were discovered in France in 1885, evidencing a huge insect with wings of more than 70 cm, placing it as the largest insect species that has ever existed on earth.

Experts consider that the most probable reason for its extinction is that due to its enormous proportions it has become difficult to breathe when flying due to the changes that the atmosphere has undergone over time.

Argentavis Magnificens

With a size of 3.5 meters and a weight of 70 kilos, this bird roamed Patagonia 8 million years ago, in the Late Miocene period, as one of the largest known flying birds.

Its fossil remains were found in Argentina in 1979. It is believed that its wings could reach a wingspan of 8 meters, weigh about 70 kg and that its flight speed could reach about 70 km per hour.

This bird is related to the ancestors of the American vultures, currently known not only for their physical appearance but also for their eating habit of taking advantage of prey hunted by other carnivores.

Haast's Eagle (Harpagornis Moorei)

In southern New Zealand lived this prehistoric bird about 3 meters long and 14 kilos that hunted Moas, other ancient and flightless birds very similar to the ostrich.

These eagles are compared to those of today, which reach a jaw of 7 centimeters, with the difference that the Harpagornis Moorei was the largest known raptor, with a jaw of 11.4 centimeters long.

The extinction of these animals in prehistory came around the year 1400 with the appearance of the first human settlers in the area, who hunted the Moas birds until they were extinct, thus leaving the Haast's Eagle without prey to survive.

Archaeopteryx

It's one of the more complicated prehistoric animal names. It means "Ancient Feather", and it is that the body of this small animal was full of feathers like those of chickens about 150 million years ago in South Germany, where they lived and hunted small prey during the Jurassic era.

Archaeopteryx was similar in appearance to poultry, although smaller, with one big difference: small sharp teeth that allowed it to hunt. In fact, experts in the field say that this bird could only move short distances if it flapped rapidly like chickens do today.

Due to its large number of features, this bird is considered a link between prehistoric birds and dinosaurs, thus earning the nickname dino-bird. Today it is considered to be the oldest known bird.

1.1.2. Herbivores

New Zealand Quail (Coturnix novaezelandiae)

Koreke, in Maori, was a bird family of the modern rooster that lived in New Zealand and other lands in the Pacific.

They were hunted for many years by man, and it is believed that the last abundant specimens were seen until 1868.

Its extinction was due to indiscriminate hunting and the introduction of other animals to its habitat in 1870.

1.1.3. Omnivores

Mei Long

It lived about 135 million years ago in present-day Asia, in the Cretaceous era, and could have been as tall as 30 cm and weighed 30 kg.

It is known as the “dinosaur that slept like chickens” due to the peculiar way in which its fossil remains were found, hiding its head under its limbs. Most likely, this animal was buried by volcanic ash.

Ajacingenia

It was a small, multi-colored dinosaur that stood out for resembling modern-day birds. It is believed that its body was completely covered with feathers and that it lacked teeth.

There is no clear information about his actual weight or size. But thanks to the shape of its bones, experts deduced that it was a very fast animal that managed to escape from its enemies quickly.

Although they fed mainly on vegetables and plants, they sometimes ate eggs and small shellfish.

Extinct Land Prehistoric Animals

Carnivores

Sabertooth (Smilodon fatalis)

This imposing cat with huge fangs, better known as the Saber-toothed Tiger, lived more than 10 thousand years ago between the prehistoric eras of the Pliocene and the Pleistocene on the lands of South and North America.

Despite their name, they are not related to the tigers that roam the earth today. Smilodon belong to the Machairodontinae, a subfamily of large prehistoric cats.

When it came to feeding, the shape of their teeth allowed them to hunt large prey such as mammoths and woolly rhinos, since their huge canines could measure from 20 to 26 centimeters.

Paleontologists first described this prehistoric animal in 1880 as a stocky animal with powerful limbs.

It is believed that the extinction of the Smilodon was caused by major climatic changes in the last ice age, which altered the ecosystem and made hunting and survival more difficult for this majestic animal. It is estimated that it coincided with the first Homo Sapiens.

Terror Birds (Phorusrhacidae)

They were known as the Birds of Terror because of their large size and for being the dominant predators in South America, between 62 and 2.5 million years ago, from the Paleocene to the Pliocene.

They were up to 2.5 meters tall and were able to use their wings as arms to turn around their prey while moving.

2.5 million years ago during the Isthmus of Panama, a geographical accident in Central America that joined North and South America, dogs, bears and cats were able to cross to the South, thus increasing hunting competition between all these predators and resulting in the extinction of the Phorusrhacidae.

Great Wanderer (Megalania or Vanarus priscus)

The megalania was a gigantic lizard, 7 meters long and weighing 600 kilos, that lived in Australia about 40,000 years ago, specifically in the Pleistocene epoch.

This extinct species of the varanidae family is the largest terrestrial lizard known to have ever existed and may have fed on other medium-sized or large animals, such as marsupials, other reptiles, birds, and eggs.

Some members of this ancient family of Vanarus are believed to have possessed venom glands in their mouths like their modern-day relatives, the Komodo dragon and the tree monitor lizard.

Titans

This flightless bird lived in North America from the Pliocene to the Pleistocene, about 5 million years ago.

It is believed that the Titanis became extinct about 15,000 years ago and reached a height of 2.5 meters and a weight of up to 150 kg. In addition, it had a large ax-shaped beak that it used to hunt its prey, charging at them and sticking the sharp tip of the beak into them to tear them apart.

It became extinct due to climatic changes that made the landscape where it inhabited difficult and due to competition with other larger predators.

Madtsoia or Madtsoiidae

These were very primitive snakes that killed their prey by constriction, a method of strangulation, throughout the lands of South America, Africa, India, Australia, and southern Europe.

They could measure up to 20 meters and weigh more than 1 ton, thus being one of the largest snakes that have ever existed.

It became extinct in the Pleistocene epoch, that is, approximately two million years ago. Due to its wide geographical distribution and the poor conservation of the fossils found, it has been difficult for paleontologists to classify all the species from the Madtsoiidae.

SuperCroc (Sarcosuchus)

It is a genus of extinct Neosuchian crocodiles that lived in Africa and South America from the Cretaceous period 110 million years ago.

Although the complete fossil bones of sarcosuchus have not been found, those obtained have allowed experts to sketch its appearance. With a length of approximately 11.5 meters, it was able to reach about 10 tons and its jaw was 1.80 meters long.

Its diet was based on fish and other smaller dinosaurs that it caught near the banks of rivers.

Tyrannosaurus Rex

With about 7 tons, 13 meters long and 4 meters high, the T-Rex is one of the most recognized ancient animals thanks to the Jurassic Park saga. He not only gained fame as "the king of tyrant lizards" for his ferocity, but also could reach 30 kilometers per hour and was capable of tearing more than 200 kilos of meat with his powerful teeth.

It lived in the Late Cretaceous epoch 68 million years ago in North America and was one of the last dinosaurs to inhabit the earth before the mass extinction of 65 million years ago.

There are more than 30 species classified under this family and in its fossils it has been possible to find biological material that has allowed experts to study its way of life. It inhabited the lands of Central and North America, specifically between Canada and Mexico in plains and forests subtropical. In addition, studies revealed that they did not have enough muscle mass to run, their maximum displacement could be 19 kilometers per hour.

Their large teeth allowed them to apply a pressure force of up to 5.8 tons, making this mark the most powerful of any known land animal. The T-Rex fed on all kinds of prey.

Titanoboa cerrejonensis

It is the largest snake found to date. It lived in South America 60 million years ago and reached a length of 14 meters and a weight of up to 1,135 kg.

Experts suggest that this prehistoric animal ate mainly fish, although other experts suggest that it sometimes hunted other predators such as crocodiles.

Megistotherium

This predatory mammal from the ecosystems of Ngorora, Kenya, Egypt, Namibia, Uganda and Libya during the Eocene period. Its name comes from the Greek and means "bone vulture" and comes from the family of hyenodontids.

It was a huge specimen, with sharp claws, large teeth, weighing up to 500 kg and a skull 66 centimeters long, which is why it is considered one of the largest and most successful carnivorous mammals known. He fed on animals that could become even bigger than him.

Andrewsarchu

During the Eocene period lived this prehistoric giant wolf that is similar to a modern wolf, but with an elongated snout 83 centimeters long.

It lived about 45 million years ago in the Eocene period, mainly in open areas such as grasslands in Asia and the United States.

Using its teeth as blades, it easily crushed the bones of its victims to absorb the marrow inside. They hunted in packs and their favorite prey was Embolotherium.

Their extinction came with a change in the food chain due to global cooling.

Herbivores

Glyptodon

It was a large armored mammal that physically resembled an armadillo and lived in the Pleistocene epoch in South America.

After experts spent years trying to analyze the genus from which they came, this huge animal finally got the name Glyptodon in 1839, which means "carved tooth."

A group of paleontologists studied the tail of this animal in depth, suggesting that its use was mainly as a weapon in fights between its own species.

Although this animal coexisted with humans for more than 4,000 years, it is believed that hunting by humans, combined with climate change, led Glyptodon to its extinction.

Irish Elk (Megaloceros giganteus)

The name of the Megaloceros comes from the Greek “megalos” which means “Big Horn” and it inhabited the earth until the Pleistocene in Europe and Asia. Not only was it noted for its large antlers, but it was also one of the largest deer that ever existed.

This animal had a certain morphological resemblance to the current Moose, although there are several species of Megaloceros that are very different from each other.

It used to live in herds in open grasslands and woodlands where they grazed on abundant grass and grew up to 2 meters tall and 3.5 meters long.

With the end of the ice ages and human hunting, these prehistoric animals decreased their population rapidly until they became extinct about 11,000 years ago

Gigantopithecus

This ancient tailless primate existed until 100,000 years ago in the Pleistocene in the territories of China, India, Vietnam and Asia and is considered the largest primate known to date.

It is estimated that it had measurements of up to 3 meters in height and 300 kilograms, that is, three times larger than a gorilla.

There is no complete fossil record. It is believed to have shared a habitat with Homo erectus in Asia.

The reason for the extinction of Gigantopithecus is unknown, but one of the main hypotheses is climate change and resource competition as a result of the last ice age.

Paraceratherium

Although it is the largest terrestrial mammal that has ever existed, its nature was calm and it ate plants. It has a certain genetic relationship with the rhinoceros, but the Paraceratherium could measure up to 7.5 meters, weigh 15 tons and had a really long neck with 9 vertebrae.

It lived in the Oligocene and Miocene 33 million years ago in the plains, deserts of Turkey, India, China, Pakistan, Kazakhstan and Mongolia.

It fed on the leaves on the tops of trees and bushes. Experts estimate that it needed around 580 kg of plants per day to fulfill its diet, so it probably spent 17 hours a day feeding.

The best-known theory about its extinction speaks of the continental clash between Asia and India that made it difficult for it to reproduce due to climatic changes.

Dinotherium (Deinotherium)

Similar to a living elephant, but larger, this animal survived 20 million years in the forests and plains of Europe, Asia, and Africa in the Miocene, Pliocene, and Pleistocene epochs.

This prehistoric elephant differs from the current one by having tusks curved backwards, which it used to fight with other males or to dig, and a much shorter trunk, so it needed to bend down to eat roots or drink water.

They lived in large herds with a social hierarchy and fed on low grasses. It is unknown why this animal became extinct.

Anisodon

This herbivore, almost 3.4 meters tall and weighing 170 kg, lived in the Eocene and Oligocene periods in the forests of Mongolia, China and France.

It had long arms and large claws on its forelimbs, which were thought to be used to pull branches into their mouths, similar to the way sloths feed today.

They lived in small family groups in areas near lakes.

Palorchestes

This extinct marsupial measured up to 2.5 meters tall and weighed 200 kilograms, making it as big as a horse by comparison.

A study of its fossils suggests it had a short proboscis similar to that of a tapir. Its front legs were powerful and it ate leaves and tree bark using its long tongue.

Omnivores

Cave Bear (Ursus Spelaeus)

It is believed that this bear inhabited the earth about 28,000 years ago and could weigh up to 600 kilos and measure up to 1.3 meters, that is, it exceeds the largest terrestrial carnivore we know today, the polar bear.

This huge prehistoric animal lived during the Pleistocene on the European continent and fed on fruits, herbs and rarely ate meat.

The Cave Bear became extinct due to climate change known as the "Last Glacial Maximum," which affected its specialized hibernation diet, according to scientists at the UK's Natural History Museum.

However, in a study carried out by the University Institute of Geology of A Coruña, it was added that the reasons for the disappearance include the fight for shelters that he had with humans.

Hell Pig (Daeodon)

This extinct family of artiodactyl mammals, similar to today's pigs, inhabited North America 29 million years ago during the Oligocene and Miocene epochs.

It lived in forests and savannahs with an approximate height of 2.5 meters and a weight of 780 kg. The meaning of his name refers to "destructive tooth" due to the large size of his jaw. It fed on tree roots and other animals.

Entelodontidae

This family of hoofed mammals extinct in Asia and North America 45 million years ago. They were physically similar to the current long-legged and thin pig, but they could measure up to 1.8 meters and weigh 500 kilos.

Although it is believed that they were able to hunt larger animals, such as Eporeodon, these animals were omnivorous, but they preferred prey over plants.

Dromornis

This 1,000-pound, 10-foot-long bird couldn't fly, it had a beak with large muscles that make experts doubt whether this bird fed only on fruits and seeds or on smaller animals.

It lived until 30 thousand years ago in the open forests of Australia and Stirtoni and there is little information about its habits and its extinction.

Extinct Marine Prehistoric Animals

Carnivores

Dunkleosteus

These extinct armored placoderms existed 369 million years ago in the Late Devonian period. He lived in North America, Europe and Africa.

It was 10 meters long and weighed about 6 tons. Its hard skull served as a defense against other predators and it had a 1.4-meter tail that allowed it to move with force.

They have found at least 10 different species of these prehistoric fish and studies have shown that this species was probably cannibalistic. The fossils found showed bites from other Dunkleosteus.

Liopleurodon

Approximately 162 million years ago in the Jurassic era, this animal lived, measuring 6.4 meters long and weighing 4.5 tons.

It moved at a maximum speed of 45 kilometers per hour through the seas of Europe and belongs to the list of super predators of the time, devouring fish, turtles, ichthyosaurs, sharks, plesiosaurs and even any other terrestrial animal or distracted flyer that got too close to the sea.

This was a solitary and territorial species, so it is believed that it was very aggressive even with other Liopleurodon.

Its extinction is attributed to a 2 km diameter meteor that struck the earth, changing the habitat known until then.

Predator X (Pliosaurus)

Aquatic reptile from the Jurassic period that weighed up to 45 tons and grew to be between 15 and 20 meters long and lived in Europe and South America.

The study of its fossils suggests that its bite was very powerful, even much stronger than that of the T-Rex. Their diet was based on fish, squid and reptiles.

Today four different species of Pliosaurus have been found. It is not really known what caused the extinction of predator X.

Gorgonopsia

These mammalian reptiles could be up to 7 meters long, had huge sharp canines, and although they are a kind of prehistoric reptile, they were closely related to mammals.

Its family includes a total of 25 genera and 41 different species of Gorgonopsia.

It is believed that the extinction of these animals came with a natural disaster caused by volcanoes.

Leviathan (Livyatan Melvillei)

Genus belonging to toothed cetaceans that lived in the Miocene approximately 13 million years ago.

Only one specimen of this marine animal has been found in Peru. The researchers only managed to collect 75% of the partially preserved skull and jawbones, which were about 3 meters long.

Experts believe it was an aggressive predator at 30 tons and 17.5 meters long. He hunted other large marine prehistoric animals such as whales, dolphins, porpoises, sharks, sea turtles, etc.

Basilosaurus

This extinct cetacean lived in the Eocene about 45 million years ago. It had a small head in relation to the body.

Its mouth had a large set of 44 sharp teeth that allowed it to hunt and devour any marine prey such as fish, sharks and cetaceans.

Its fossil remains were found in Alabama, Louisiana, Egypt, and Pakistan, and it is believed to have lived in tropical and subtropical seas.

Its extinction dates back to the scarcity of food due to climate change phenomena in Antarctica that modified the food chain.

Nautiloid

Invertebrate mollusk with a straight outer shell and two pairs of gills that lived in the early Paleozoic as a marine predator.

Today, more than 2,500 species have been recorded, although currently only 4 seem to have survived.

Kronosaurus

This short-necked marine lizard inhabited the Australian and Colombian seas in the Cretaceous period, that is, approximately 125 million years ago.

They owe their name to the leader of the Greek Titans, Cronus for being among one of the largest pliosaurs ever.

The first fossil remains of this prehistoric animal were found in Australia in 1889. In 1977 a complete fossil was found in Colombia.

Dorudon

Called “spear tooth” according to ancient Greek, this cetacean lived 40 million years ago in the Tethys Ocean of the Eocene Era, feeding on fish and mollusks.

These carnivorous animals were 5 meters long and weighed up to 2.24 tons.

Fossils of the Dorudon have turned up along the coastline of the ancient Tethys line, present-day Egypt and Pakistan, the United States, New Zealand, and Western Sahara.

It became extinct approximately 36 million years ago due to climate change called the “Great Rift”.

Anomalocaris

This very ancient marine invertebrate animal was known from fossils found in sites in China, North America, Australia and North Africa.

They existed in the Cambrian period from about 535 million years ago. They were up to 1 meter long and had spines along their bodies, with which it is believed that they caught their prey and brought it to their mouths.

Their large eyes gave them sharp vision that allowed them to hunt Trilobites, a class of arthropods, in murky waters.

Its extinction was caused by competition with Nautiloids, a species of mollusk, and other small predators.

Helicoprion

The Helicoprion was a species of aquatic vertebrate that lived from the Carboniferous to the Triassic period as a predator in the seas of Russia, China, Australia, Canada, the United States and Mexico.

This animal resembles today's shark, with the difference that it has a spiral of teeth in the lower jaw. It came to measure 4 meters long and weigh 380 kg.

It became extinct about 225 million years ago and its skull has not been found, so its way of feeding is left to scientists to speculate. One of the most well-known hypotheses is that it fed on Ammonites and that is why the shape of its teeth was ideal for breaking the shells of these animals.

Eurypterids

Also known as Gigantostraceans or marine scorpions, these arthropods were physically compared to modern scorpions for having a metasoma, although it did not have a venom gland.

Today, 250 species of Eurypterida have been catalogued. This prehistoric animal became extinct at the end of the Paleozoic period.

Megalodon (Carcharodon Megalodon)

A species of giant shark that lived in America, Australia, Asia, and the Canary Islands in the Oligocene and Pliocene periods.

Not only was it at the top of the food chain, but it also had no natural predators, which is why it was considered the terror of the seas of its day. He hunted animals of all sizes and had a voracious appetite. The colors of this prehistoric animal allowed it to be perfectly camouflaged for a surprise attack.

It is similar to the current white shark with the difference that the Megalodon weighed 50 tons and was up to 20 meters long.

Experts estimated that this shark could live up to 100 years, and that it is the direct ancestor of the white shark.

It is believed that they became extinct due to the changes brought about by the closure of the Central American maritime passage and its environmental consequences and the decline of food sources.

Omnivores

Archelon

It was a giant sea turtle up to 4.6 meters long that inhabited America in the Cretaceous Era.

Cataloged as the largest turtle in history and one of the oldest ever found. Unlike its current relatives, this prehistoric turtle did not have a bony shell and its skull was narrow.

The Archelon's mouth was beak-shaped and toothless.

Living prehistoric animals

Carnivores

Pelican (Pelecanus)

These aquatic birds that we know today are classified as prehistoric because their fossil record dates back to at least 30 million years ago.

Pelicans stand out for their large gular sac, which they carry under their beak, which they use to capture fish that come close to the surface of the water, although they have also been obtained by feeding on amphibians, turtles, crustaceans, and occasionally small birds.

They move in large groups around the coasts of all continents except Antarctica, and 8 different species of these are known based on their geographic location.

Today there is a decline in the population of this species, which is why it is currently considered vulnerable due to the destruction of its habitat.

Sande Weevil (Alepsaurus ferox)

This fish can reach a size of 2 meters in length and weigh between 3 and 9 kilos. Its body is elongated, silver in color, with a large mouth with large fangs and a high dorsal fin.

They live in open waters near coastal areas with a depth range of up to 1850 meters.

It is carnivorous, feeding on other fish, crustaceans, cephalopods and has even been seen practicing cannibalism.

In general, there is very little data on this animal. At the moment the species is in a range of least concern.

Platypus

This semi-aquatic mammal has a duck beak, beaver tail, otter feet, is poisonous and lays eggs. It comes from eastern Australia and the island of Tasmania and is believed to have inhabited the earth since the Pleistocene period, about 100 thousand years ago.

In the 20th century, this animal had to be included in the protection list to prevent it from being hunted for the sale of its skin. It lives in small rivers in mountainous areas or tropical forests.

On its legs, this animal has spurs that release poison to weaken its prey during hunting. For this reason, only males are capable of injecting venom. They feed on annelids, larvae, shrimp and insects.

Herbivores

Bison Bonasus

Considered the largest mammal in Europe and is in a vulnerable state on the Conservation Status scale, being one of the most threatened, and in need of conservation programs. captive breeding to preserve the species today.

Its physical appearance is compared to that of a modern American bison, except that it is slightly lighter in build. This ancient bison measures from 250 to 250 centimeters and can weigh up to 920 kg.

The European bison is an animal that lives in herds, averaging between 8 and 13 animals, and feeds on grasses and plant shoots.

The disappearance of this animal is increasing and is due to massive hunting by man and deforestation.

Mongolian Wild Horse (Equus Ferus Przewalskii)

It survived extinction in the mid-20th century with the help of some naturalists, remaining today as the only wild subspecies of horse that exists today, although It maintains a critical status of about 1,500 copies worldwide.

Unlike most domestic breeds, its skull is convex, with a very long tail, and its legs are proportionally shorter than its body.

This species lived in Asia during the Pleistocene period and is believed to have been first domesticated in 3,000 BC. where subspecies of domestic horses originated.

In 1977 the Foundation for the Preservation and Protection of the Przewalskii Horse was born and in 1992 12 of these wild horses were reintroduced in the Hustai Mongolia National Park, where they had last been seen in 1969.

Extinct Animals That Could Come Back to Life

Although the natural habitat of some of the ancient animals on the list no longer exists, Scientists continue to conduct research using DNA samples found in fossils ancient to bring back the most iconic ancient species, although at the moment it is unlikely.

Thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus)

Known as the Tasmanian tiger, this animal belonged to the marsupial family and was native to Australia and New Guinea during the Holocene period. His nickname is due to the black stripes that stood out on his back on his yellow fur.

The Thylacine was a nocturnal animal, with a great sense of smell and very fast. It fed on kangaroos, rats, birds and other small animals.

The last specimen died at the old Hobart Zoo in Australia, where a small group of these marsupials lived in captivity. Since the arrival of man on the islands, the Tasmanian Tigers have been in danger of extinction, as they were blamed for killing flocks of sheep.

Although this prehistoric animal was officially declared extinct in the 1980s, many people claim that there are still living specimens of these prehistoric animals roaming the lands of Australia.

Genetics experts from the University of Melbourne in Australia managed to create a high-quality genetic blueprint of the Thylacine, better known as the Tasmanian tiger, which in the future could be used to clone the species using DNA.

The tissue remains were taken from a 108-year-old baby specimen. However, specialists assure that more studies are necessary before effective cloning is achieved.

We would have to wait at least a decade to get the right technologies to reverse the Thylacine extinction.

Aurochs (Bos Primigenius Primigenius)

The Aurochs was a prehistoric animal of a robust herbivorous species that lived in Asia, Europe and North Africa, and was the progenitor of the Bovinae family, where the domestic bovines of nowadays.

Their extinction came with over-exploitation by humans. The latter used the Aurochs, a prehistoric animal, as a source of food, so they were quickly domesticated.

The last specimen died in Poland in 1627 and had a great impact on the European ecosystem. That is why since 2008, geneticists from a European project of the Taurus Foundation have tried to bring back the Aurochs, by crossing some living bovine species that have a prehistoric ancestor in their DNA, and are increasingly convinced that they are getting closer to the specimens of the Aurochs, an extinct animal.

Raphus cucullatus (Dodo)

The dodo was a flightless bird that inhabited the Mauritius islands of the Indian Ocean that disappeared in the 17th century due to excessive hunting by man.

A size of approximately one meter in height and a weight of between 10 kg and 17 kg. They had a 23 centimeter long beak that they used to split coconuts that they fed on.

The answer to why the Dodo became extinct lies with the arrival of man on the islands. They intensively hunted this bird, which had no defenses, until the end of the species, as happened with other prehistoric birds of the time.

There have been several fossils of the Dodo found, in fact in the University of the Museum of Natural History there is a stuffed specimen from which samples were taken from which DNA fragments could be extracted, but not enough to carry out a cloning.

However, more and more specimens are being found, so researchers suggest that its cloning is getting closer and that it could return as the father of pigeons.

Giant Moa (Dinornithidae)

These flightless birds inhabited the forests and plains of New Zealand 500 years ago, measuring 3.5 meters tall and weighing 230 kg. Thus being the tallest birds that have ever existed.

They were herbivores, feeding in a similar way to modern giraffes because they had a long neck. They also had robust legs like the current ostrich that allowed them to run at high speed, reaching up to 40 kilometers per hour.

The arrival of men marked the path of the extinction of this animal in the year 1500. A large number of fossils of these ancient animals were found in good condition, which allowed the extraction of their DNA. This makes experts investigate whether it is possible to bring this animal back to life.

Giant sloth (Megatherium)

It was a 4-ton, 6-meter-tall mammal that lived 8,000 years ago in the forests and grasslands of North and South America in the Pliocene and Holocene epochs.

It was very large, had large claws, had no teeth, and when it stood on its two hind legs it could be taller than a T-Rex.

It was an omnivorous animal, with a preference for vegetables.

In recent years, scientists have found complete skeletons of these specimens and remains of skin, meat and hair. Thanks to this, they have managed to reconstruct their DNA to be cloned, but the closest specimen to this extinct animal is the current sloth, which would make it impossible to form a Megatherium since the embryo would exceed the size of the mother in a very short time.

Prehistoric animals found frozen

Mammuthus (Mammoths)

The name Mammuthus comes from Old Russian and means "horn of the earth", although in Spanish they are known as Mammoths, and even Just 3,700 years ago these iconic prehistoric mammals roamed the lands of North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

These huge prehistoric animals resemble the elephant known today in behavior, although most mammoth species were no larger than the Asian elephant.

There are different theories that could explain the cause of their extinction, from climatic changes that affected their habitat, making the plants on which they fed scarce, to hunting by man. A last hypothesis suggests that its extinction was due to a great virulent disease introduced by man in the Pleistocene period.

In 2007, the corpse of a mammoth calf was found which, thanks to the frigid temperatures of Siberia, kept a large part of its body and fur intact, which made it possible to extract its DNA in good condition.

The best candidate for a fused egg that would achieve cloning would be that of an Asian elephant, the closest living relative. However, to perform a complete decloning process, an entire intact strand of DNA needs to be found.

Panthera Leo Spelaea (Cave Lion)

Similar to the panther and modern lion, this prehistoric feline lived during the Pleistocene period in Spain, the British Isles, and Alaska.

The Cave Lion got its name from the number of its fossils found in caves; although experts remain doubtful if they really inhabited them. Most likely, they would prefer to live in forests and grasslands where they hunted the largest herbivorous animals, including horses, deer, reindeer, bison, or even mammoths.

This prehistoric animal did not survive the Quaternary global mass extinction, joining the extinction process due to climate changes and excessive hunting for the time.

In 2015, two fossils of Cave Lion cubs frozen 10,000 years ago in Siberia were found. Researchers believe the cubs were just a week old at the time of their deaths and were likely trapped in a burrow while hiding until they were old enough to come out with their parents.

Uyan and Dina, the name they gave the puppies, kept part of their skin and muscles in good condition, which allowed the Korean group of cloning experts to begin studying in 2016 the cells in the DNA necessary to bring back a the Panthera Leo Spelaea by cloning.

Woolly Rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis)

This herbivorous animal was thick-haired, about 3.8 meters tall, and weighed between 2 and 3 tons. It was found in central Spain, southern England, Mongolia and southern Siberia. It was the last member of the evolutionary lineage of the modern rhinoceros.

It used its horns for defense, to attract a mate at the mating stage, and to shovel snow in search of food. Thanks to the latter, these ancient animals did not have to migrate to other regions in search of food in the winter season.

Their extinction was caused by uncontrolled hunting by humans and climate change. Many specimens of these prehistoric animals found frozen still kept parts of their horns, hair, and hooves in excellent condition, which has allowed researchers to advance in terms of their rebirth. The tissues found showed to be an almost pure DNA sample from an ancient sterhinoceros, so it would not be so difficult to bring it back. The only detail would be that the current mother candidates are in danger of extinction, so the woolly rhinoceros is not a priority today.

Short-faced Bear (Arctodus)

It lived in the Ice Age and was larger than today's polar bear. With a weight of up to 800 kg and a height of 1.6 meters, it could become the largest terrestrial mammal that humanity found on its way.

They differ from current bears in their diet, since they had sharp teeth, like those of cats, which they used to hunt and did not eat plant material.

It became extinct 10 thousand years ago in America and frozen specimens were found that were in good condition, making it probable that in the future experts will be able to obtain the complete genome necessary to bring it back to life.

Omnivores, herbivores, carnivores, terrestrial, flying, marine... As we have been able to verify, the list of prehistoric animals is enormous.

The changes suffered by the planet in recent times and, in a much more drastic way, since the appearance of the human being, have meant that we can no longer enjoy the vast majority of these extinct prehistoric animals. Luckily there are still a few alive. Let's try to keep it that way.