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Home/Acadiana/Unearthing the Louisiana Mastodon
mastadon tusk and other bones displayed on table

Unearthing the Louisiana Mastodon

It’s hard to imagine a time when giant elephant-like mastodon were roaming the prairies of southern Louisiana. But the bones of long-extinct mammals have been unearthed in coastal areas of the state. These prehistoric giants roamed the landscape of Louisiana tens of thousands of years ago.

color drawing of mastadon in a forest
Artist’s rendering of an extinct mastodon

Mike Richard, owner of Rip Van Winkle Gardens on Jefferson Island, described the types of animals that once lived in the area. “Giant horned bison, camels, ground sloths that weighed over 3000 pounds. They had tortoises that were the size of Volkswagens,” said Richard. These megafauna animals thrived in the ice age environment, a time when the oceans were about 300 to 400 feet lower than they are today, making Louisiana a high prairie area.

man wearing green long sleeve shirt and cap holding large mastadon tooth
Mike Richard holds mastodon tooth discovered at Rip Van Winkle Gardens on Jefferson Island, LA

finding a louisiana mastodon

It was a near catastrophe here on Lake Peigneur that led to the discovery of the first bones in 1980. A drilling rig on the lake punched a hole in an underground salt mine, causing billions of gallons of water to be sucked into the mine, creating a massive collapse. As the crater filled again with water, the upheaval along the shoreline revealed long-buried skeletons. Mike Richard’s son found a mastodon tooth and jawbone, which were later identified as coming from an animal that has been extinct for 10,000 years.

louisiana mastodon discovery featured on tv

Watch this Heart of Louisiana story on the discovery of mastodon bones

tusks were the tools of the mastodon

Mastodons were similar to elephants and had tusks that were used as tools for uprooting plants. Mike Richard showed a tusk that was in two pieces, explaining that the working end of the tusk was convex, designed for the purpose of digging. These tusks could reach over six feet in length and almost nine inches in diameter. The discovery of these tusks and other bones reveals the lifestyle and habits of these prehistoric giants.

mastodon tusk and other bones on table
Mastodon tusk, teeth and other bones uncovered at Jefferson Island, LA
man's hand holding large tooth from mastodon
Mike Richard hold the first mastodon tooth he found at Jefferson Island, LA
skull and teeth from tapir displayed on wood table
Skull and teeth from a tapir, an animal that is no longer found in Louisiana
large tree with moss on edge of lake
View of Lake Peigneur from Rip Van Winkle Gardens at Jefferson Island, LA

5505 Rip Van Winkle Rd, New Iberia, LA 70560

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        Written by:
        Dave McNamara
        Published on:
        March 21, 2023
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        Categories: Acadiana, Featured

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