how big were mammoths

Mammoths varied significantly in size depending on the species. The woolly mammoth, one of the most well-known species, stood about 3 to 3.7 meters (10 to 12 feet) tall at the shoulder and weighed between 5,500 and 7,300 kg (6 to 8 tons), comparable in size to modern African elephants. Larger species like the steppe mammoth could reach heights of 3.8 to 4.5 meters (12.5 to almost 15 feet) and weigh up to 14.3 tonnes (32,000 lbs). The smallest species, such as the dwarf mammoth, were only about 1 to 1.5 meters (3 to 5 feet) tall and weighed a few hundred kilograms, adapted to island environments. Woolly mammoths had distinct physical adaptations for cold environments, including thick fur and smaller ears to reduce heat loss, and their tusks could grow very large, sometimes up to 5 meters long. Different types of mammoths ranged from roughly the size of modern elephants to giants much larger than any elephants alive today.