Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville

Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville - 1/7/2003
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Tools of the trade for many Florida paleontologists. River diving is common when searching for the more recent mammals in this state.
$Fossil Preparation - Tools of the Trade\nMuseum paleontologists and preparators use the tools in this case to remove fossils from the sediments in which they were fossilized. This plaster jacket contains a molar of a Columbian Mommoth (Mammuthus columbi).$

Fossil Preparation - Tools of the Trade
Museum paleontologists and preparators use the tools in this case to remove fossils from the sediments in which they were fossilized. This plaster jacket contains a molar of a Columbian Mommoth (Mammuthus columbi).

A Baby Mastodon (Mammut americanum) collected from Surprise Cave, Alachua County, a 12,000 year old sinkhole site.
$Baby Mastodons\nRare Discovery in a Tight Space\nAbout 12,000 years ago, a small hole in the ground became a dangerous trap for small mammals. The remains of at least three baby mastadons (Mammut americanum) were collected from deep within Surprise Cave in Alachua County, Florida. The caves and sinkholes in Florida often contain rich fossil deposits.$

Baby Mastodons
Rare Discovery in a Tight Space
About 12,000 years ago, a small hole in the ground became a dangerous trap for small mammals. The remains of at least three baby mastadons (Mammut americanum) were collected from deep within Surprise Cave in Alachua County, Florida. The caves and sinkholes in Florida often contain rich fossil deposits.

$Dima, a baby Woolly Mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius)\nThis male calf was found in Siberia in 1977 and is about 40,000 years old. The animal's soft tissues were preserved in the extremely cold climate of the Siberian permafrost. (Replica donated by Dr. Clifford Jeremiah, Jacksonville, Florida)$

Dima, a baby Woolly Mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius)
This male calf was found in Siberia in 1977 and is about 40,000 years old. The animal's soft tissues were preserved in the extremely cold climate of the Siberian permafrost. (Replica donated by Dr. Clifford Jeremiah, Jacksonville, Florida)
$Tusks and Teeth More Durable than Bone\nTusks and teeth are the most common proboscidean fossils.$

Tusks and Teeth More Durable than Bone
Tusks and teeth are the most common proboscidean fossils.

Cook's Mammoth (Mammuthus haroldcooki), mandibles (lower jaw) with 3rd molars - 1.4 million years old, early Pleistocene; Punta Gorda, Charlotte County, UF10968
$The "TUSKS" temporary exhibit at FLMNH.\nMastodon (left) and Mammoth (right).$

The "TUSKS" temporary exhibit at FLMNH.
Mastodon (left) and Mammoth (right).

$American Mastodon (Mammut americanum)\nMandibles (lower jaw) - about 12,000 years old, late Pleistocene; Aucilla River 3, Taylor County, UF180220.$

American Mastodon (Mammut americanum)
Mandibles (lower jaw) - about 12,000 years old, late Pleistocene; Aucilla River 3, Taylor County, UF180220.

Right maxilla (upper jaw) with 2nd & 3rd molars - about 15,000 years old, late Pleistocene, Ichetucknee River, Columbia County, UF40001

Left maxilla (upper jaw) with 2nd & 3rd molars - about 15,000 years old, late Pleistocene, Aucilla River, Jefferson County, UF192226.

Largest fossil Proboscidean in Florida.

Ancestral Rhynchotheres (spiraltuskers) & Gomphotheres (shoveltuskers).

Mandible of a Britt's Shoveltusker (Amebelodon britti)

Shoveltusker

Shoveltusker

Shoveltusker

Shoveltusker

Shoveltuskers are equipped with huge shovel-shaped jaws. They were among the largest proboscideans to have ever lived in Florida, rivaling even the later Ice Age mammoths and mastodons. They entered Florida about 9 million years ago, and disappeared at the end of the Miocene about 4.5 million years ago. They have enormous lower incisors that are spatulate, or shovel-like. Paleontologists traditionally believed that these beasts actually used their modified tusks to scoop up aquatic plants. However, research by University of Florida paleontologists suggests that these modified tusks may have been used for many purposes, such as digging, combat between males, and scraping the bark off trees.

Research by University of Florida paleontologists suggests that these modified tusks may have been used for many purposes, such as digging, combat between males, and scraping the bark off trees.

Timeline of Mammoths, Rhynchotheres, Gomphotheres, Mastodons.

Shoveltuskers

Britt's Shoveltusker (Amebelodon britti), right lower tusk - 6.5 million years old, late Miocene; Moss Acres, Marion County, UF69995.

Florida Shoveltusker (Amebelodon floridanus), upper molar - 8 million years old, late Miocene; Emathla, Marion County, UF1771.

$1. Jefferson's Ground Sloth (Megalonyx jeffersoni), pedal digit (toe) - about 15,000 years old, late Pleistocene, Aucilla River 3, Taylor County, UF135754.\n2. Harlan's Ground Sloth (Paramylodon harlani), distal phalanx (claw) - about 15,000 years old. late Pleistocene, Wekiwa River 1, Seminole County, UF135534.$

1. Jefferson's Ground Sloth (Megalonyx jeffersoni), pedal digit (toe) - about 15,000 years old, late Pleistocene, Aucilla River 3, Taylor County, UF135754.
2. Harlan's Ground Sloth (Paramylodon harlani), distal phalanx (claw) - about 15,000 years old. late Pleistocene, Wekiwa River 1, Seminole County, UF135534.

2. Harlan's Ground Sloth (Paramylodon harlani), femur (upper leg) & distal phalanx (claw) - about 15,000 years old. late Pleistocene, Wekiwa River 1, Seminole County, UF135544, 135534.

Ice Age Neighbors - Hoofed Animals.

Peccary (Mylohyus fossilus), mandible (lower jaw) - about 15,000 years old, late Pleistocene; Reddick 1, Marion County UF2418.

American Lion (Panthera atrox), skull and mandibles (casts) - about 15,000 years old, late Pleistocene; Ichetucknee River 28, Columbia County, UF9076.
$Fossil Sites in Florida - Ancient Sediments\nThe ancient sediments of the Florida peninsula are the richest repository of fossil tuskers in eastern North America. Caves, sinkholes, river bottoms and phosphate mines are the primary locations of discovery.$

Fossil Sites in Florida - Ancient Sediments
The ancient sediments of the Florida peninsula are the richest repository of fossil tuskers in eastern North America. Caves, sinkholes, river bottoms and phosphate mines are the primary locations of discovery.

Vertebrate skeletons from the FMNH's "Fossils of Florida" exhibit.
$Giant Florida Ground Sloth (tall, center)\n9 million year old Thinobadistes segnis was collected near Williston. A browser (leaf eater). Closely related to the tree sloths that live in South America today, and are also related to armadillos (composite reconstructed skeleton of fossil bones collected by the FLMNH).$

Giant Florida Ground Sloth (tall, center)
9 million year old Thinobadistes segnis was collected near Williston. A browser (leaf eater). Closely related to the tree sloths that live in South America today, and are also related to armadillos (composite reconstructed skeleton of fossil bones collected by the FLMNH).

"Thunder Beast" from Nebraska (Brontops robustus), a 35 million year old extinct hoofed mammal whose modern relatives include horses, rhinoceroses, and tapirs.

History of horses.
$Giant Florida Ground Sloth\n9 million year old Thinobadistes segnis was collected near Williston. A browser (leaf eater). Closely related to the tree sloths that live in South America today, and are also related to armadillos (composite reconstructed skeleton of fossil bones collected by the FLMNH).$

Giant Florida Ground Sloth
9 million year old Thinobadistes segnis was collected near Williston. A browser (leaf eater). Closely related to the tree sloths that live in South America today, and are also related to armadillos (composite reconstructed skeleton of fossil bones collected by the FLMNH).
$Giant Florida Ground Sloth\n9 million year old Thinobadistes segnis was collected near Williston. A browser (leaf eater). Closely related to the tree sloths that live in South America today, and are also related to armadillos (composite reconstructed skeleton of fossil bones collected by the FLMNH).$

Giant Florida Ground Sloth
9 million year old Thinobadistes segnis was collected near Williston. A browser (leaf eater). Closely related to the tree sloths that live in South America today, and are also related to armadillos (composite reconstructed skeleton of fossil bones collected by the FLMNH).

$Florida Oreodont\nVery common in 30 million year old sediments in western North America, but are very rare in the eastern U.S. (reconstructed skeleton of fossils bones collect by FLMNH).$

Florida Oreodont
Very common in 30 million year old sediments in western North America, but are very rare in the eastern U.S. (reconstructed skeleton of fossils bones collect by FLMNH).
$Three-toed Transitional Horse\n18 million years old, Parahippus leonensis, Thomas Farm fossil preserve, northern Florida.$

Three-toed Transitional Horse
18 million years old, Parahippus leonensis, Thomas Farm fossil preserve, northern Florida.
$Tiny Florida Horse\nFull grown three-toed horse (Archaeohippus blackbergi), 18 million years old, Thomas Farm.$

Tiny Florida Horse
Full grown three-toed horse (Archaeohippus blackbergi), 18 million years old, Thomas Farm.

Withlacoochee Deer (Pseudoceras), 7 million years old, Miocene, Withlacoochee river in central Florida. Order Artiodactyla.

New FLMNH exhibit building.

Old FLMNH exhibit building now reserved for offices and collections (Dickenson Hall).

A picture of this sign was necessary because many people call you an "archaeologist" if you say you work with fossils!

Tools of the trade for many Florida paleontologists. River diving is common when searching for the more recent mammals in this state.	$Fossil Preparation - Tools of the Trade\nMuseum paleontologists and preparators use the tools in this case to remove fossils from the sediments in which they were fossilized. This plaster jacket contains a molar of a Columbian Mommoth (Mammuthus columbi).$ Fossil Preparation - Tools of the Trade Museum paleontologists and preparators use the tools in this case to remove fossils from the sediments in which they were fossilized. This plaster jacket contains a molar of a Columbian Mommoth (Mammuthus columbi).	A Baby Mastodon (Mammut americanum) collected from Surprise Cave, Alachua County, a 12,000 year old sinkhole site.	$Baby Mastodons\nRare Discovery in a Tight Space\nAbout 12,000 years ago, a small hole in the ground became a dangerous trap for small mammals. The remains of at least three baby mastadons (Mammut americanum) were collected from deep within Surprise Cave in Alachua County, Florida. The caves and sinkholes in Florida often contain rich fossil deposits.$ Baby Mastodons Rare Discovery in a Tight Space About 12,000 years ago, a small hole in the ground became a dangerous trap for small mammals. The remains of at least three baby mastadons (Mammut americanum) were collected from deep within Surprise Cave in Alachua County, Florida. The caves and sinkholes in Florida often contain rich fossil deposits.
$Dima, a baby Woolly Mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius)\nThis male calf was found in Siberia in 1977 and is about 40,000 years old. The animal's soft tissues were preserved in the extremely cold climate of the Siberian permafrost. (Replica donated by Dr. Clifford Jeremiah, Jacksonville, Florida)$ Dima, a baby Woolly Mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) This male calf was found in Siberia in 1977 and is about 40,000 years old. The animal's soft tissues were preserved in the extremely cold climate of the Siberian permafrost. (Replica donated by Dr. Clifford Jeremiah, Jacksonville, Florida)	$Tusks and Teeth More Durable than Bone\nTusks and teeth are the most common proboscidean fossils.$ Tusks and Teeth More Durable than Bone Tusks and teeth are the most common proboscidean fossils.	Cook's Mammoth (Mammuthus haroldcooki), mandibles (lower jaw) with 3rd molars - 1.4 million years old, early Pleistocene; Punta Gorda, Charlotte County, UF10968	$The "TUSKS" temporary exhibit at FLMNH.\nMastodon (left) and Mammoth (right).$ The "TUSKS" temporary exhibit at FLMNH. Mastodon (left) and Mammoth (right).
$American Mastodon (Mammut americanum)\nMandibles (lower jaw) - about 12,000 years old, late Pleistocene; Aucilla River 3, Taylor County, UF180220.$ American Mastodon (Mammut americanum) Mandibles (lower jaw) - about 12,000 years old, late Pleistocene; Aucilla River 3, Taylor County, UF180220.	Right maxilla (upper jaw) with 2nd & 3rd molars - about 15,000 years old, late Pleistocene, Ichetucknee River, Columbia County, UF40001	Left maxilla (upper jaw) with 2nd & 3rd molars - about 15,000 years old, late Pleistocene, Aucilla River, Jefferson County, UF192226.	Largest fossil Proboscidean in Florida.
Ancestral Rhynchotheres (spiraltuskers) & Gomphotheres (shoveltuskers).	Mandible of a Britt's Shoveltusker (Amebelodon britti)	Shoveltusker	Shoveltusker
Shoveltusker	Shoveltusker	Shoveltuskers are equipped with huge shovel-shaped jaws. They were among the largest proboscideans to have ever lived in Florida, rivaling even the later Ice Age mammoths and mastodons. They entered Florida about 9 million years ago, and disappeared at the end of the Miocene about 4.5 million years ago. They have enormous lower incisors that are spatulate, or shovel-like. Paleontologists traditionally believed that these beasts actually used their modified tusks to scoop up aquatic plants. However, research by University of Florida paleontologists suggests that these modified tusks may have been used for many purposes, such as digging, combat between males, and scraping the bark off trees.	Research by University of Florida paleontologists suggests that these modified tusks may have been used for many purposes, such as digging, combat between males, and scraping the bark off trees.
Timeline of Mammoths, Rhynchotheres, Gomphotheres, Mastodons.	Shoveltuskers	Britt's Shoveltusker (Amebelodon britti), right lower tusk - 6.5 million years old, late Miocene; Moss Acres, Marion County, UF69995.	Florida Shoveltusker (Amebelodon floridanus), upper molar - 8 million years old, late Miocene; Emathla, Marion County, UF1771.
$1. Jefferson's Ground Sloth (Megalonyx jeffersoni), pedal digit (toe) - about 15,000 years old, late Pleistocene, Aucilla River 3, Taylor County, UF135754.\n2. Harlan's Ground Sloth (Paramylodon harlani), distal phalanx (claw) - about 15,000 years old. late Pleistocene, Wekiwa River 1, Seminole County, UF135534.$ 1. Jefferson's Ground Sloth (Megalonyx jeffersoni), pedal digit (toe) - about 15,000 years old, late Pleistocene, Aucilla River 3, Taylor County, UF135754. 2. Harlan's Ground Sloth (Paramylodon harlani), distal phalanx (claw) - about 15,000 years old. late Pleistocene, Wekiwa River 1, Seminole County, UF135534.	2. Harlan's Ground Sloth (Paramylodon harlani), femur (upper leg) & distal phalanx (claw) - about 15,000 years old. late Pleistocene, Wekiwa River 1, Seminole County, UF135544, 135534.	Ice Age Neighbors - Hoofed Animals.	Peccary (Mylohyus fossilus), mandible (lower jaw) - about 15,000 years old, late Pleistocene; Reddick 1, Marion County UF2418.
American Lion (Panthera atrox), skull and mandibles (casts) - about 15,000 years old, late Pleistocene; Ichetucknee River 28, Columbia County, UF9076.	$Fossil Sites in Florida - Ancient Sediments\nThe ancient sediments of the Florida peninsula are the richest repository of fossil tuskers in eastern North America. Caves, sinkholes, river bottoms and phosphate mines are the primary locations of discovery.$ Fossil Sites in Florida - Ancient Sediments The ancient sediments of the Florida peninsula are the richest repository of fossil tuskers in eastern North America. Caves, sinkholes, river bottoms and phosphate mines are the primary locations of discovery.	Vertebrate skeletons from the FMNH's "Fossils of Florida" exhibit.	$Giant Florida Ground Sloth (tall, center)\n9 million year old Thinobadistes segnis was collected near Williston. A browser (leaf eater). Closely related to the tree sloths that live in South America today, and are also related to armadillos (composite reconstructed skeleton of fossil bones collected by the FLMNH).$ Giant Florida Ground Sloth (tall, center) 9 million year old Thinobadistes segnis was collected near Williston. A browser (leaf eater). Closely related to the tree sloths that live in South America today, and are also related to armadillos (composite reconstructed skeleton of fossil bones collected by the FLMNH).
"Thunder Beast" from Nebraska (Brontops robustus), a 35 million year old extinct hoofed mammal whose modern relatives include horses, rhinoceroses, and tapirs.	History of horses.	$Giant Florida Ground Sloth\n9 million year old Thinobadistes segnis was collected near Williston. A browser (leaf eater). Closely related to the tree sloths that live in South America today, and are also related to armadillos (composite reconstructed skeleton of fossil bones collected by the FLMNH).$ Giant Florida Ground Sloth 9 million year old Thinobadistes segnis was collected near Williston. A browser (leaf eater). Closely related to the tree sloths that live in South America today, and are also related to armadillos (composite reconstructed skeleton of fossil bones collected by the FLMNH).	$Giant Florida Ground Sloth\n9 million year old Thinobadistes segnis was collected near Williston. A browser (leaf eater). Closely related to the tree sloths that live in South America today, and are also related to armadillos (composite reconstructed skeleton of fossil bones collected by the FLMNH).$ Giant Florida Ground Sloth 9 million year old Thinobadistes segnis was collected near Williston. A browser (leaf eater). Closely related to the tree sloths that live in South America today, and are also related to armadillos (composite reconstructed skeleton of fossil bones collected by the FLMNH).
$Florida Oreodont\nVery common in 30 million year old sediments in western North America, but are very rare in the eastern U.S. (reconstructed skeleton of fossils bones collect by FLMNH).$ Florida Oreodont Very common in 30 million year old sediments in western North America, but are very rare in the eastern U.S. (reconstructed skeleton of fossils bones collect by FLMNH).	$Three-toed Transitional Horse\n18 million years old, Parahippus leonensis, Thomas Farm fossil preserve, northern Florida.$ Three-toed Transitional Horse 18 million years old, Parahippus leonensis, Thomas Farm fossil preserve, northern Florida.	$Tiny Florida Horse\nFull grown three-toed horse (Archaeohippus blackbergi), 18 million years old, Thomas Farm.$ Tiny Florida Horse Full grown three-toed horse (Archaeohippus blackbergi), 18 million years old, Thomas Farm.	Withlacoochee Deer (Pseudoceras), 7 million years old, Miocene, Withlacoochee river in central Florida. Order Artiodactyla.
New FLMNH exhibit building.	Old FLMNH exhibit building now reserved for offices and collections (Dickenson Hall).	A picture of this sign was necessary because many people call you an "archaeologist" if you say you work with fossils!