What was the maximum reported length of the long, coarse guard hairs on a woolly mammoth?
Answer
Up to three feet
The distinctive coat of the woolly mammoth was crucial for survival in cold, dry grasslands, consisting of two main layers. The outer layer was composed of long, coarse guard hairs, which were designed to provide superior insulation against the cold. These guard hairs were exceptionally long, having the potential to reach lengths of up to three feet. In conjunction with the dense, woolly undercoat underneath, which trapped insulating air, this outer layer created a shaggy silhouette and provided the necessary protection to maintain metabolic stability in the fluctuating seasonal temperatures of the Ice Age landscape.
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