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We’re Living in an Age of Small Creatures
Summary
This article discusses the idea that life used to be much bigger than it is today, and examines the various theories as to why this is the case. It discusses how things like a higher oxygen content in the atmosphere and the lack of certain predators could have led to larger creatures, and also explains how some of the larger animals of the past became extinct due to changes in climate and hunting by humans. The article then suggests that, in the future, if humans step out of the way, large creatures could once again roam the Earth.
Q&As
What is the definition of megafauna?
Megafauna are generally considered herbivores when they reach more than 2,200 pounds, and carnivores when they're over 220 pounds.
What caused the extinction of most megafauna species?
Shifts in climate and hunting by humans combined to make it impossible for the giant, ancient plant-munchers to survive.
What were some of the hypothesized factors behind the size of prehistoric creatures?
Everything from higher oxygen levels in the air and reduced gravity to evolutionary arms races between predator and prey have been mulled over as possible explanations for why we feel so small compared with the life of the past.
How did the size of coyotes change as a result of the extinction of other large predators?
The size of coyotes shrank after the ice age extinctions.
What would need to happen for large creatures to roam the Earth again?
Humans would need to step off Earth's stage for large creatures to roam the Earth again.
AI Comments
👍 This article provides a fascinating look into the history of large animals, and how the current environment is impacting the size of some species today.
👎 This article is too long-winded and does not provide enough concrete evidence to back up its claims.
AI Discussion
Me: It's about why life is so much smaller today compared to the past. It looks at the theories of why this is the case and then talks about the possibility of there being larger creatures in the future.
Friend: Interesting. What are some of the implications of this article?
Me: Well, one implication is that humans may have had a major role in reducing the size of creatures on Earth. We know that humans hunted megafauna to extinction and also changed their habitats, which could have had an effect on how large species could grow. It also suggests that if humans can learn to step out of the way and let nature take its course, we may see larger creatures in the future. Furthermore, this article shows us the importance of understanding the environment and how it affects the size of species. Understanding these factors can help us better protect species and their habitats.
Action items
- Research the effects of human activity on the size of animals and the environment.
- Learn more about the evolutionary processes and interactions that spur species to become larger.
- Educate yourself on the various paths to impressive, humongous sizes and how they can be applied to the present.
Technical terms
- Megafauna
- Large animals, usually defined as herbivores weighing more than 2,200 pounds and carnivores weighing more than 220 pounds.
- Pleistocene
- A geological epoch that lasted from about 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago.
- Carboniferous
- A geological period that lasted from about 359 to 299 million years ago.
- Arthropods
- A group of invertebrates that includes insects, arachnids, and crustaceans.
- Steller's sea cow
- An extinct species of large sirenian that lived in the North Pacific Ocean.
- Dodo
- An extinct flightless bird that was endemic to the island of Mauritius.