Creating Our Mastodon

The project creating the Mastodon Replica began by first sculpting a clay scale model based on information supplied by archeologists and studying illustrations and other models. At a scale of 1” = 1', close attention was paid to skeletal and muscular structure, in particular the shape and size of its shoulders and unique sloped head.

The Mastodon ears proved to be a bit of a problem, however, as no one knows exactly what they would have looked like. Unlike African and Asian elephants, which have large floppy ears to provide cooling, Mastodons living in cold climates probably didn't develop such large ears. It was decided to give the Mastodon smaller versions of those found on modern elephants.

Once the clay model was perfected, work commenced on the production of a full-scale fiberglass and steel replica, actually slightly larger than life-size for impact.

First, large blocks of Styrofoam were sculpted into the Mastodon image approved by the archeologists and based on the clay model.

Molded tusks were installed and a stainless steel armature was incorporated into the foam sculpture for structural integrity. This stainless steel skeleton eventually provided the base for securing he finished model to its cement mounting pad. A 3/8” thick layer of fiberglass was then applied to the entire Mastodon and given a weather resistant finish. A stimulated fur coat was added using a mixture of polyester and fiberglass and the entire model was coloured to how the creature may have looked when it roamed this area thousands of years ago.

The Mastodon Replica weighs approximately 3000 lb.. (1400 kg). It stands 10 feet (3.5 m) high at the shoulder, 13 feet (4.5 m) high at the tip of its outstretched trunk. From the tail to the tips of its tusks it measures 22 feet long (7.5 m). The tusks alone are 6 feet (2 m) long. The entire project, from sculpting the clay model to the completion of the fiberglass and steel replica took about 8 weeks. In January 1995 the Mastodon was delivered to Mastodon Ridge, traveling route 102 to Stewiacke, from Head of Chezetcook, perched on the Atlantex trailer, tilted slightly forward so its trunk would clear the

Facts About Our Replica