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Alabama Ancient Savanna Species List

Late Pleistocene in Eastern Alabama. Left to right: wild horse, Columbian mammoth, reindeer; American Lion, woolly rhinoceros

The U.S. state of Alabama from an estimated 129,000 years ago to approximately 300 years ago was a mix of open grasslands and savannas, in contrast to the closed canopy forests which cover most of the state today. Most of these savannas were a mixture of pine savannas and oak savannas with areas lacking any trees being basic open grasslands. This habitat was somewhat similar to the modern savannas of Africa although the main difference being the temperature. While summer months were hot and somewhat dry with temperatures ranging from estimated highs of 85°F – 100°F, winter months were cold and wet with lows reaching down to an estimated -20°F – 10°F. The landscape was comprised primarily of a variety of trees growing sparsely over a large area such as Longleaf Pines, Shortleaf Pines, Loblolly Pines, Southern Red Oaks, Cherrybark Oaks, Black Oaks, Blackjack Oaks, Eastern White Oaks, Chinquapin Oaks, Chestnut Oaks, Post Oaks, Sand Post Oaks, Sweetgums, Poplars, Cherries, and Plums The landscape was also dominated by many extinct animal species such as Short faced bear, Columbian mammoth, American mastodon, Great bison, Wild horses, American camels, Giant ground sloths, Dire wolfs, American lions, and the American cheetah.

Extant - 4

Extinct in State - 4

Permanently Extinct - 14

(‡) Permanently Extinct - A native species which is permanently extinct on earth.

(†) Extinct in the wild/Extinct in State - A native species which is extinct in the State of Alabama.

Armadillos

Image Scientific Name Common Name Genus Temporal Range
(Age)
Year of
Extinction
Extinction Event
Glyptotherium texanum North American Glyptodont/North American Giant Armadillo (‡) Glyptotherium Approx.
3.6Ma11,300
years ago
~9280 B.C. Holocene
Dasypus novemcinctus Nine-Banded Armadillo Dasypus Approx.
50,000Present

Bison

Image Scientific Name Common Name Genus Temporal Range
(Age)
Year of
Extinction
Extinction Event
Bison bison American Bison/American Buffalo (†) Bison Approx.
30,000254
years ago
1770 Holocene
Bison latifrons Great Bison (‡) Bison Approx.
120,00011,000
years ago
~10,000 B.C. Holocene
Bison antiquus Ancient Bison (‡) Bison Approx.
60,00010,000
years ago
~9,000 B.C. Holocene

Bobcats/Cheetahs/Jaguars/Lions/Tigers

Image Scientific Name Common Name Genus Temporal Range
(Age)
Year of
Extinction
Extinction Event
Miracinonyx inexpectatus American Cheetah (‡) Miracinonyx Approx.
2.5Ma16,000
years ago
~14,000 B.C. Late Pleistocene
Panthera onca American Jaguar (†) Panthera Approx.
850,000138
years ago
1886 Holocene
Panthera atrox American Lion (‡) Panthera Approx.
129,00012,800
years ago
~10,780 B.C. Late Pleistocene
Smilodon fatalis American Saber-Toothed Tiger (‡) Smilodon 2.5Ma10,000
years ago
~7,980 B.C. Holocene
Homotherium serum American Scimitar-Toothed Tiger (‡) Homotheriun 4Ma12,000
years ago
~9980 B.C. Late Pleistocene
Puma concolor couguar Eastern Mountain Lion (‡) Puma Approx.
1.2Ma76
years ago
1948 [note 1] Holocene
Puma concolor couguar Florida Mountain Lion (†) Puma Approx.
1.2Ma – ~94
years ago
~1930's Holocene
Puma concolor couguar North American Mountain Lion (†) Puma Approx.
1.2Ma – ~94
years ago
~1930's Holocene
Lynx rufus Red Bobcat Lynx Approx.
3.2MaPresent
- -


Deer

Image Scientific Name Common Name Genus Temporal Range
(Age)
Year of
Extinction
Extinction Event
Odocoileus virginianus osceola Florida Costal White-Tailed Deer Odocoileus Approx.

7,000Present

Odocoileus virginianus virginianus Virginia White-Tailed Deer Odocoileus Approx

11,000Present

Gomphotheres/Mammoths/Mastodons

Image Scientific Name Common Name Genus Temporal Range
(Age)
Year of
Extinction
Extinction Event
Cuvieronius hyodon American Gomphothere(‡) Cuvieronius Approx.
1.5Ma12,000
years ago
~9970 B.C. Late Pleistocene
Mammut americanum American Mastodon (‡) Mammut Approx.
8Ma11,345
years ago
~9300 B.C. Holocene
Mammuthus columbi Columbian Mammoth (‡) Mammuthus Approx.
1.5Ma12,000
years ago
~9970 B.C. Late Pleistocene

Elk

Image Scientific Name Common Name Genus Temporal Range
(Age)
Year of
Extinction
Extinction Event
Cervus canadensis canadensis Eastern Elk/Wapiti (‡) Cervus Approx.
5,000147
years ago
1877 Holocene

Sloths

Image Scientific Name Common Name Genus Temporal Range
(Age)
Year of
Extinction
Extinction Event
Megalonyx jeffersonii Jefferson Ground Sloth (‡) Megalonyx Approx.
5Ma12,000
years ago
~9980 B.C. Late Pleistocene
Paramylodon harlani Harland’s Ground Sloth (‡) Paramylodon Approx.
4.9Ma12,000
years ago
~9980 B.C. Late Pleistocene

Notes

  1. ^ Killed in 1948 in St. Clair County.