News

Actions

Scientists examine mastodon teeth that turned up in Michigan

Posted at 11:26 AM, Sep 19, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-20 08:47:25-04

Scientists are examining mastodon teeth that turned up in the yards of homes in Michigan.

The Saginaw News reports Melissa Millsap-Gipson's husband was cutting the grass last week in Lapeer County when he found a tooth. She says that and another tooth found at the North Branch-area property are wrapped and awaiting examination by experts.

A family in the Saginaw County community of Birch Run also found what was identified as a mastodon tooth.

Adam Rountrey, collection manager at the University of Michigan Museum of Paleontology, says that since the mid-1800s there have been about 300 documented mastodon fossils found in Michigan. They're trying to figure out whether more mastodon remains are in the areas.

In western Michigan, mastodon bones were found recently by construction workers.