South American Gomphothere
Notiomastodon platensis
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Chordata
Mammalia
Proboscidea
Gomphotheriidae
Notiomastodon
Notiomastodon platensis
The South American Gomphothere, Notiomastodon platensis, was a resilient and widespread relative of modern elephants that roamed the open plains, savannas, and dry forests of South America during the Late Pleistocene. Standing nearly three meters tall at the shoulder, it was among the largest land mammals of its time. Its extinction coincided with the arrival and expansion of early human populations across the continent.
Description
Notiomastodon platensis — The South American Gomphothere was a true giant of the Ice Age, weighing up to 4,400 kg and reaching 2.5–2.8 m at the shoulder and roughly 4.5 m in body length. It possessed two long, slightly curved upper tusks and a short trunk, with molars adapted for grinding coarse grasses and woody plants. Fossil evidence shows the species occupied diverse habitats, from Brazil’s open grasslands to Argentina’s floodplains. Isotopic analyses indicate a highly adaptable feeder, switching between C₃ and C₄ vegetation depending on climate and region. The species persisted until roughly 8,000 years ago, making it one of the last surviving gomphotheres before extinction—likely a result of both climatic shifts and human hunting pressures.
Quick Facts
Max Mass
Shoulder Height
Standing Height
Length
Diet
Trophic Level
4000
2.6
3.9
4.5
kg
m
m
m
Mixed Feeder
Herbivores – Grazers
Hunt History
Evidence of human interaction with Notiomastodon platensis has been found in several early Holocene archaeological sites across South America. Early hunter-gatherer groups such as the Paleo-Indians are believed to have hunted these animals using stone-tipped spears and coordinated group strategies, targeting young or isolated individuals. Cut marks on bones and association with lithic tools suggest butchering for meat and tusk ivory.
Earliest archaeological finds with evidence of human predation:
Santa Elina Cave, Brazil – Fossilized remains of N. platensis alongside human tools and charcoal, indicating probable hunting or scavenging (~10,000 years ago).
Taima-Taima, Venezuela – Butchery marks on Notiomastodon bones associated with El Jobo projectile points (~13,000 years ago).
Campo Laborde, Argentina – Clear evidence of human processing of a Notiomastodon carcass using stone tools (~12,600 years ago).
Time & Range
Extinction Status
Globally Extinct
Extinction Date
Temporal Range
Region
7000
BP
Late Pleistocene
South America
Wiki Link
Fat Analysis
Fatness Profile:
Medium
Fat %
8
Est. Renderable Fat
320
kg
Targeted Organs
Marrow, brain, visceral fat
Adipose Depots
Visceral (perirenal/mesenteric), limited subcutaneous; marrow, brain lipids
Preferred Cuts
Long-bone marrow & braincase
Hunt Difficulty (x/5)
5