Russian scientists found out that mammoths suffered from same diseases that affected elephants.
      
      Researchers found two strange bones – a tooth of an adult mammoth and a rudimentary tusk – in deposits of late Pleistocene in the shores of the Irtysh river. Both bones had signs of previously undetected pathology of woolly mammoth’s dentition. Their structure differed significantly form common bones of these ancient animals. The tooth had only one root, while common mammoth teeth had from 2 to 10 roots. Moreover, the tooth looked like a cylinder without any signs of tapering. The finding showed other developmental anomalies.
      
      As for the rudimentary tusk – central part of its cross section wasn’t normal for woolly mammoths. Dentine of the bone sample was too dense compared to normal tusks.
      
      Scientists suggest that all these anomalies happened due to some unknown genetic disease, trauma or infection. Such pathology was never detected in mammoth bones, but was quite common for modern animals. This fact shows that biology and physiology of ancient giants was similar to that of modern elephants.
      
      Source: Science & Life