Mastodon Bones on Display at the Discovery Center

Several pieces of natural history are on display at the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation’s Discovery Center. Four Mastodon bones will be on temporary loan from the San Diego Natural History Museum for display at the Discovery Center starting this week.

According to Samantha Richter, Chief Operating Officer for Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation, the bones were all found in North County San Diego.

“There is a femur and a vertebra which were found in August of 2002, at the Wanis View Estates in Oceanside and a tusk and molar both found during the excavation for the Robertson Ranch development in Carlsbad in June of 2007,” stated Richter.

The bones have been stored at the San Diego Natural History Museum for the last ten years. Emily Bonds, Programs Coordinator for the Foundation, was responsible for contacting the museum, transporting the bones and setting up the display area for them.

“We want to help people understand the natural history of our area,” said Bonds. “We can
learn a great deal about the coastline of California and what kind of vegetation and forestation was here when the Mastodons lived.”

The name Mastodon means "nipple tooth" which refers to the characteristic shape of the
Mastodon's molar teeth. Mastodons were primarily browsers, nibbling on shrubs and the low-lying branches of trees. The shape of their teeth made it easier for them to eat wood-based food.

“Mastodons first appeared about 27 to 30 million years ago and were present in North America
until 10,000 years ago approximately,” noted Richter. “The bones on display are about 100,000 years old.”

Because the Discovery Center is closed for indoor activities due to COVID, the bones will be available for viewing at the entrance to the great room at the Discovery Center, 1580 Cannon Road. The exhibit is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission for members is free; a $10.00 donation is suggested for other visitors.