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Fossil bones of an American mastodon and mata mata
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Fossil bones of an American mastodon and mata mata
Fossil bones of an extinct American mastodon, Mammut americanum 1, and mata mata, Chelus fimbriata 2. Mastodonte (ossemens fossiles), matamata. Handcoloured steel engraving by Pfitzer after an illustration by Adolph Fries from Felix-Edouard Guerin-Menevilles Dictionnaire Pittoresque d Histoire Naturelle (Picturesque Dictionary of Natural History), Paris, 1834-39
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Media ID 23179962
© Florilegius/Mary Evans
Adolph Americanum Bones Dhistoire Dictionary Dictionnaire Extinct Felix Edouard Fimbriata Fossil Fries Guerin Meneville Mastodon Mata Naturelle Pfitzer Pittoresque Mammut Matamata
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This hand-colored steel engraving showcases the fossilized bones of two remarkable prehistoric creatures: the American mastodon (Mammut americanum) and the mata mata (Chelus fimbriata). The mastodon, depicted in the foreground, was an enormous, hairy elephant-like creature that roamed the Americas during the Pleistocene epoch. Its large, curved tusks and flat molars are evident in this detailed illustration. The American mastodon became extinct around 10,000 years ago. In the background, the mata mata (also known as the "caiman with a mustache") is depicted with its distinctive, elongated snout and armored shell. This ancient reptile, native to South America, is a member of the family Chelidae and is characterized by its flared, fringed gills. The mata mata is an ambush predator, lying in wait for its prey along the banks of shallow waters. This engraving, created by Pfitzer after an illustration by Adolph Fries, was originally published in Felix-Edouard Guerin-Meneville's Dictionnaire Pittoresque d'Histoire Naturelle (Picturesque Dictionary of Natural History) between 1834 and 1839. The intricate details and vibrant colors of this print serve as a testament to the artists' skill and the fascination that these extinct creatures continue to hold for us today.
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