What is the leading theory regarding the function of the potential hump situated over the woolly mammoth's shoulders or back?
Answer
Serving as a significant, concentrated energy reserve of stored fat
Artistic depictions and skeletal interpretations often suggest the presence of a hump in the shoulder or back region, analogous to that seen on camels. Although its structure is debated among paleontologists, the leading theory posits that this feature was functionally critical for survival in the unpredictable Ice Age. This hump is believed to have functioned as a significant energy reserve—a localized area for storing substantial amounts of fat. This portable cache of energy could be metabolized when forage became scarce due to heavy snow cover, providing a vital buffer against starvation while maintaining core body temperature.
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