Deinotherium

“	The giant elephant-like Deinotherium.	”
– Walking with Cavemen: Blood Brothers

Deinotherium was a large proboscidean that lived from the Miocene to Pleistocene and an antagonist in Walking with Beasts (Next of Kin)

Facts[]

Physical appearance and biology[]

Deinotherium was a large proboscidean mammal. It had the basic body plan like other elephants, except slightly larger and with curved tusks under its jaw.

Unlike elephants, the tusks of Deinotherium were curved and pointed downwards. They also protruded from the tip of the lower jaw rather than the skull.

It was once thought that Deinotherium had a smaller trunk than most of its ancestors and relatives. However, this is now known to be false and it had a much long trunk, much like the rest of its relatives. Otherwise, it would be unlikely to drink water easily. Its ears were small, like those of Asian elephants, which is very unusual for an animal living in very hot temperatures. It is likely that it may have had larger ears than in previous reconstructions, however.

Behaviour and traits[]

Deinotherium was a large mammal. It was the third largest land mammal ever to exist, only succeeded by Indricotherium and Palaeoloxodon. Due to this immense size and bulk, Deinotherium was the largest animal in its ecosystem.

Deinotherium, like its relatives, possessed a pair of tusks. However, these tusks were positioned on its lower jaw and were curved, facing downwards. This bizarre design was especially useful when it came to stripping bark off of tree trunks.

Like elephants, male Deinotherium would undergo musth when ready to mate. During these sessions, they would become extremely aggressive and would attack anything. The females also show some degree of aggression like elephant mothers, by just chasing other animals off. Juveniles were also threatening for small to medium sized animals.

In Walking with Beasts[]

Next of Kin[]

An adult Deinotherium was grazing near a pair of Ancylotherium.

Whilst a pair of Australopithecus and Ancylotherium were drinking from a water hole, a small herd of Deinotherium came past and an adolescent chased off the hominids.

When an Australopithecus clan were searching for a new place to live, they accidentally caught the attention of a male Deinotherium in musth. It chased the Australopithecus group up a tree. Unfortunately, a child of Babble's was left behind and was screeching. Babble tried to reach her child but she herself was chased by the angry Deinotherium. The constant screams by Babble's child attracted the attention of the proboscidean and he attacked the juvenile (although it was revealed to have survived the attack). The herbivore then left.

In Walking with Cavemen[]

First Ancestors[]

Deinotherium appeared briefly. The episode used stock footage from Walking with Beasts.

Blood Brothers[]

Deinotherium appeared briefly as one of the many creatures that lived in the same environment as Australopithecus. The episode used stock footage from Walking with Beasts.

Gallery[]

Behind the scenes[]

List of appearances[]

Walking with Beasts
- Land of Giants (cameo, credits)
- Next of Kin
Walking with Beasts: A Prehistoric Safari
- The Prey's Revenge
Walking with Cavemen
- First Ancestors (cameo)
- Blood Brothers (cameo)
Walking with Cavemen: Eye-to-Eye with your Ancestors
The Complete Guide to Prehistoric Life

Walking With Wikis