Wikipedia:Main Page history/2016 January 29

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Artist's impression of Columbian mammoths
Artist's impression

The Columbian mammoth (Mammuthus columbi) was a species of mammoth that inhabited the western hemisphere from Costa Rica to the northern United States during the Pleistocene epoch. It evolved from the steppe mammoth, which entered North America from Asia about 1.5 million years ago. Reaching 4 m (13 ft) at the shoulders and 8–10 tonnes (18,000–22,000 lb) in weight, the Columbian mammoth was one of the largest species of mammoth. It used its tusks and trunk for manipulating objects, fighting, and foraging. The species preferred open areas and fed on sedge, grass, and other plants. Its range may have overlapped with that of the woolly mammoths, which inhabited the Arctic regions of Canada. Columbian mammoths coexisted in North America for a few thousand years with Palaeoamericans, who hunted them for food, used their bones to make tools, and depicted them in art. Columbian mammoth remains have been found in association with Clovis culture artefacts. The species disappeared at the end of the Pleistocene around 11,000 years ago, most likely as a result of habitat loss caused by climate change, hunting by humans, or both. (Full article...)

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Tumbling puffballs
Tumbling puffballs

In the news

Satellite image of the U.S. winter storm on January 23
U.S. winter storm on January 23

On this day...

January 29

Irfan Pathan
Irfan Pathan

From today's featured list

Subtropical Storm Omeka
Subtropical Storm Omeka

The 2010 Pacific hurricane season was one of the least active seasons on record, featuring the fewest named storms since 1977. The season officially started on May 15 in the eastern Pacific—east of 140°W—and on June 1 in the central Pacific—between the International Date Line and 140°W—and lasted until November 30. The season's first storm, Tropical Storm Agatha, developed on May 29; its final storm, Tropical Storm Omeka (satellite image pictured), degenerated on December 21. The season began with record-breaking activity with four named storms, including two major hurricanes, developing by the end of June. Activity abruptly diminished thereafter, with July, August, and September seeing record low storm development. Although there were relatively few storms, the season proved exceptionally deadly and destructive. Torrential rains associated with Agatha and Tropical Depression Eleven-E killed well over 200 people in Central America and Mexico and left more than $1.5 billion in damage. (Full list...)

Today's featured picture

Lyme Park House

The south facade of Lyme Park house in Lyme Park, a large estate located south of Disley, Cheshire. The symmetrical 15-bay three-storey south front overlooking the pond is the work of Giacomo Leoni and was completed in the 1720s. The house itself measures 190 feet (58 m) by 130 feet (40 m) round a courtyard plan. The older part is built in coursed, squared buff sandstone rubble with sandstone dressings; the later work is in ashlar sandstone.

Photograph: Julie Anne Workman

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