A mastodon is an extinct species of mammal that belongs to the order Proboscidea, which also includes modern elephants. Mastodons lived in North America during the late Miocene to the end of the Pleistocene, around 27,000 years ago. They are known for their distinctive long, curved tusks and their molar teeth, which were adapted for browsing on woody vegetation. Mastodons roamed in herds and were herbivores, grazing on a variety of plants. Their extinction is attributed to climatic changes and hunting by early humans, and they are often studied to understand prehistoric ecosystems and biodiversity.