The elephant from All Todays (Bicornproboscis Elephas) is an extinct herbivorous large land mammal that lived in what is now Africa and Asia during the Holocene. They were most likely solitary as some fossils seem to show, but thanks to some fossils showing over 10 elephants discovered, it is possible that they lived in herds up to 10 elephants, and died by a flash flood. All Today's Elephant skulls have a large nasal hole that is thought to have supported a trunk, but it is debunked that it is just a baggy organ. Their tusks seem to fell off through the seasons, like fossils of “Deer” seem to show.
Why this page isn't Vandalism[]
This page isn't vandalism because this page is about the taxonomy of the Elephant of the All Todays Wiki, the All Today's Wiki's page of this creature doesn't contain any information about this creature and therefore this page has lots of unique information valuable for making a page on this wiki. Here is a definition of vandalism: "Internet vandalism refers to the intentional destruction or manipulation of data or information online without permission. The full definition includes:
- Targets online assets - Unlike regular vandalism, internet vandalism affects intangible digital assets like websites, databases, servers, etc. rather than physical property.
- Typically anonymous - Most internet vandalism is done anonymously or under false identities to avoid detection.
- Often politically/socially motivated - Groups targeting opposing ideologies or influences often perpetrate internet vandalism as retaliation.
- Carried out through hacking - Methods like malware, DDoS attacks, database infiltration are used to damage or compromise online systems and data.
- Causes digital disruption - Effects include website defacement, data corruption, server crashes, service outages. The impact is impairment of online systems.
- Violates cyber laws - Internet vandalism is prohibited legally the same as physical vandalism, with penalties depending on severity."
This page doesn't fit the criteria of any of those and as well as, this page doesn't copy any other pages on Fandom because the taxonomy of the All Today's Elephant is unique to this page.
Taxonomy[]
Bicornproboscis elephas: A Proboscidean Oddity
Bicornproboscis elephas is an extinct species of proboscidean that inhabited the grasslands and forests of Laurasia during the early Neogene period. This bizarre looking creature is classified within the family Proboscidae and the genus Bicornproboscis, which reflect its unique anatomical features.
Kingdom Animalia
As a large multicellular organism, B. elephas is classified within the kingdom Animalia. All animals are eukaryotic, heterotrophic organisms that digest their food internally and usually have differentiated tissues and lack cell walls. B. elephas fits these criteria as a complex creature that consumed plant material to survive.
Phylum Chordata
B. elephas possesses key chordate features including a notochord, dorsal hollow nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, and a muscular post-anal tail at some point during its development. The phylum Chordata contains all vertebrate animals and some invertebrate chordates. As a vertebrate, B. elephas is placed in this phylum.
Class Mammalia
This species exhibits the class Mammalia characteristics of endothermy, hair, three middle ear bones, and mammary glands. Mammals also have neocortex region in the brain and specialized teeth. B. elephas was certainly an endothermic, hairy creature with advanced neurological capabilities as evidenced by its large brain.
Order Proboscidea
B. elephas falls into the order Proboscidea, which contains modern elephants as well as their extinct relatives. All proboscideans are characterized by tusks and long, muscular probosci. While unique in appearance, B. elephas clearly possessed these two key features, cementing its placement in this order.
Family Proboscidae
Within the order Proboscidea, B. elephas is classified in the family Proboscidae. This is based on its fused, non-prehensile proboscis that lacked fingered lip appendages. Other extinct proboscideans had more dexterous trunks, but in B. elephas the proboscis was fully fused to the skull.
Genus Bicornproboscis
The genus name Bicornproboscis refers to the two prominent horns protruding from the skull of B. elephas, a distinctive trait separating it from other proboscideans. No other known genus of extinct elephant possessed this horned adaptation.
Species B. elephas
The epithet elephas places this as a unique species within the Bicornproboscis genus. No other described fossil proboscidean matches the suites of traits exhibited in B. elephas. It remains the sole designated species within its genus.
Anatomical Features
Skull and Tusks
The skull of B. elephas was large and elongated to accommodate its massive proboscis and two pointed horns. The cranium measured around 3 meters long. Large, spiraling tusks emerged from the upper jaw on either side of the proboscis. These tusks averaged 2.5 meters and were used for digging, defense, and possibly display.
Horns
Perhaps the most striking feature of B. elephas was its pair of large horns, which projected upwards from the skull behind the tusk sockets. These solid keratin horns averaged 1.5 meters in length and were likely used for intraspecific combat between males. The horns curved backwards along the plane of the head.
Proboscis
As a proboscidean, B. elephas possessed a muscular prehensile proboscis fused to the front of its skull. This proboscis lacked dextrous finger-like appendages and was used for feeding and social interactions. Sensory bristles lined the nostrils at the tip. The proboscis provided a lengthy reach for browsing high vegetation.
Dentition
Teeth were reduced to large grinding molars at the back of the jaws, enabling an herbivorous diet of tough plant material. The molars were composed of ridged enamel plates cemented by dentine and cementum. They moved horizontally during chewing. The total number of molars in a lifetime was six.
Body
B. elephas had a bulky body with thick legs suited for supporting its great weight. The body was covered in coarse fur that protected the animal from temperature extremes. The fur coloration consisted of reddish-brown over most of the body with white underparts. Their skin was very thick, minimizing water loss.
Limbs and Feet
Limbs were thick and columnar, with five digits on the feet. The limbs were plantigrade, meaning B. elephas walked on its soles and had heels touching the ground. This allowed it to support its immense bulk. Small flat nails capped the digits rather than distinct hooves.
Size
B. elephas was among the largest proboscideans ever known, reaching sizes rivaling the giant mammutid Deinotherium. Average height at the shoulder was 4.5 meters and body length was 8 meters. Total weight was approximately 15 tons for the largest individuals, second only to some mammoths.
Habitat and Range
This species inhabited woodland and grassland regions of Laurasia during the early Neogene period. Fossil remains show a range spanning most of Eurasia and North America. Herds browsed diverse vegetation in subtropical forests and temperate savannas within this range.
Diet and Feeding
The skull and teeth of B. elephas indicate a strictly herbivorous diet. Its long proboscis enabled stripping leaves and branches from tall trees. The one-way chewing molars were ideal for grinding fibrous plant material. Its sheer size meant this species consumed vast amounts of vegetation daily.
Behavior and Social Structure
Evidence suggests B. elephas lived in matriarchal herds with complex social behaviors. Longevity and low reproduction rate meant generations overlapped for decades. Males may have competed via combat using their horns to establish hierarchy. Vocalizations and protuberances on the skull provided visual displays.
Extinction
Climate change and habitat alteration likely led to the extinction of B. elephas. The forests and savannas it depended on contracting in range. Its huge nutritional demands made it difficult to adapt. Overhunting by early humans possibly placed further strain. The last populations disappeared by the late Neogene. No descendants of B. elephas are found in modern proboscidean species.
In summary, analysis of the anatomical traits and fossil remains of Bicornproboscis elephas demonstrate it was a singular proboscidean well-suited for thriving in the diverse landscapes of ancient Eurasia and North America. Its taxonomy reflects its relationship to extinct and extant elephants while also highlighting the distinctive features of this remarkable creature. Though gone for millions of years, B. elephas remains a fascinating part of the prehistoric world.