What approximate daily consumption rate was necessary for an adult woolly mammoth to meet its energy needs?
Answer
Approximately 400 pounds of vegetation
Given the colossal size and mass of the woolly mammoth, sustaining its body required a correspondingly massive intake of fuel, even if the primary food sources like grasses and sedges were relatively low in immediate caloric density compared to other types of forage. Estimates calculated based on the animal's estimated weight and metabolic requirements place the necessary daily consumption at roughly 400 pounds of tough, fibrous vegetation. This high-volume feeding strategy was essential for maintaining its enormous body mass throughout the harsh conditions prevalent during its time.
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