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20B: Pleistocene Epoch
Vertebrate List
(2.5 million to 11,700 years old)
Vertebrates from various sources
This should not be considered a complete list
By Thomas Thurman
Georgia’s Pleistocene Fossil Reports
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Online Collections Catalog; Georgia Specimens
Quaternary Period, Downloaded 7/April/2013
Fish
Genus & Species Common Name Specimens Location
Carcharodon carcharias Great White Tooth Georgia
Amphibians
Genus & Species Common Name Specimens Location
Gastrophryne carolinensis Narrowmouth Toad Skeletal parts Bartow 1969
Family; Gyrinophilus Salamander Vertebra Bartow
Retiles
Genus & Species Common Name Specimens Location
Crotalus (Species?) Timber Rattlesnake 54 Vertebra Bartow
Diadophis punctatus Ringneck Snake 19 Vertebra Bartow
Geochelone crassiscutata Tortoise (Juvenile) Partial shell Bartow 1968
Geochelone crassiscutata Tortoise (Adult) Various Bartow
Kinosternon subrubrum Eastern mud turtle Partial shell Bartow
Lampropeltis triangulum Milk snake 4 Vertebra Bartow
Nerodia sipedon North. Water snake Vertebra Bartow
Pseudemys concinna River cooter turtle Partial carapace Bartow
Sceloporus undulates East fence lizard Skull/teeth Bartow 1963
Storeria (Species?) Red belly snake Vertebra Bartow
Terrapene canaliculata Box turtle Carapace frag. Georgia
Terrapene carolina Eastern Box Turtle Multiple Skeletal Bartow 1968
Thamnophis sirtalis Garter snake Vertebra Bartow
Birds
Genus & Species Common Name Specimens Location
Class: Aves Owl Partial Skull Bartow
Anas rubripes Black Duck Humerus Bartow
Canachites canadensis Spruce Grouse Humerus Bartow
Ectopistes migratorius Passenger Pigeon Hunerous Bartow
Meleagris gallopavo Wild Turkey Skeletal Parts Bartow
Mammals
Genus & Species Common Name Specimens Location
Family: Delphinidae Dolphin 8 Skull bones Georgia
Family: Physeteridae Sperm Whale Tooth Georgia
Family: Physeteridae Sperm Whale 25 Skull bones Georgia
Physeter vetus Sperm Whale Tooth Georgia 1929
Castoroides (species?) Giant Beaver 2 Teeth Glynn
Equus leidyi Horse Tooth Glynn
Equus leidyi Horse Partial skull Glynn
Equus (Species?) Horse Multiple Glynn
Eremotherium (species?) Giant Ground Sloth Multi. Teeth Glynn
Megatherium mirabile Giant Sloth 15 Assorted Georgia 1823
Mammut americanum American mastodon Tooth Georgia 1950
Mammut americanum American mastodon Tooth Coffee
Mammuthus columbi Columb. mammoth Tooth Coffee
Neochoerus (Species?) Capybara Tooth Glynn
Neochoerus (Species?) Capybara 2 Teeth Georgia
Neotoma (Species?) Packrat Lower Jaw Bartow 1885
Tamias aristus Chipmunk Partial skull Bartow 1964
Tapirus veroensis Tapir Partial Skull/Teeth Georgia
Lutra canadensis River Otter Isolated teeth Bartow 1963-64
Acinonyx (sp) Cat (Cheetah?) Heel Bone Georgia (25/Aug/2000)
Felis inexpectata American Cheetah Teeth Bartow 1963-64
Felis rufus Black Footed Cat Teeth, skull, jaw Bartow 1963-64
Mustela frenata Long Tailed Weasel Teeth, bone Bartow 1963-64
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Online Collections Catalog; Georgia Specimens
Quaternary Period, Downloaded 7/April/2013
Fish
Genus & Species Common Name Specimens Location
Carcharodon carcharias Great White Tooth Georgia
Amphibians
Genus & Species Common Name Specimens Location
Gastrophryne carolinensis Narrowmouth Toad Skeletal parts Bartow 1969
Family; Gyrinophilus Salamander Vertebra Bartow
Retiles
Genus & Species Common Name Specimens Location
Crotalus (Species?) Timber Rattlesnake 54 Vertebra Bartow
Diadophis punctatus Ringneck Snake 19 Vertebra Bartow
Geochelone crassiscutata Tortoise (Juvenile) Partial shell Bartow 1968
Geochelone crassiscutata Tortoise (Adult) Various Bartow
Kinosternon subrubrum Eastern mud turtle Partial shell Bartow
Lampropeltis triangulum Milk snake 4 Vertebra Bartow
Nerodia sipedon North. Water snake Vertebra Bartow
Pseudemys concinna River cooter turtle Partial carapace Bartow
Sceloporus undulates East fence lizard Skull/teeth Bartow 1963
Storeria (Species?) Red belly snake Vertebra Bartow
Terrapene canaliculata Box turtle Carapace frag. Georgia
Terrapene carolina Eastern Box Turtle Multiple Skeletal Bartow 1968
Thamnophis sirtalis Garter snake Vertebra Bartow
Birds
Genus & Species Common Name Specimens Location
Class: Aves Owl Partial Skull Bartow
Anas rubripes Black Duck Humerus Bartow
Canachites canadensis Spruce Grouse Humerus Bartow
Ectopistes migratorius Passenger Pigeon Hunerous Bartow
Meleagris gallopavo Wild Turkey Skeletal Parts Bartow
Mammals
Genus & Species Common Name Specimens Location
Family: Delphinidae Dolphin 8 Skull bones Georgia
Family: Physeteridae Sperm Whale Tooth Georgia
Family: Physeteridae Sperm Whale 25 Skull bones Georgia
Physeter vetus Sperm Whale Tooth Georgia 1929
Castoroides (species?) Giant Beaver 2 Teeth Glynn
Equus leidyi Horse Tooth Glynn
Equus leidyi Horse Partial skull Glynn
Equus (Species?) Horse Multiple Glynn
Eremotherium (species?) Giant Ground Sloth Multi. Teeth Glynn
Megatherium mirabile Giant Sloth 15 Assorted Georgia 1823
Mammut americanum American mastodon Tooth Georgia 1950
Mammut americanum American mastodon Tooth Coffee
Mammuthus columbi Columb. mammoth Tooth Coffee
Neochoerus (Species?) Capybara Tooth Glynn
Neochoerus (Species?) Capybara 2 Teeth Georgia
Neotoma (Species?) Packrat Lower Jaw Bartow 1885
Tamias aristus Chipmunk Partial skull Bartow 1964
Tapirus veroensis Tapir Partial Skull/Teeth Georgia
Lutra canadensis River Otter Isolated teeth Bartow 1963-64
Acinonyx (sp) Cat (Cheetah?) Heel Bone Georgia (25/Aug/2000)
Felis inexpectata American Cheetah Teeth Bartow 1963-64
Felis rufus Black Footed Cat Teeth, skull, jaw Bartow 1963-64
Mustela frenata Long Tailed Weasel Teeth, bone Bartow 1963-64
Bartow County & Ladd's Cave
See Below
Most of these Bartow County reports originated with research in Ladds Cave and quarry operations in that immediate area. This site is popular with rock clubs as it produces very attractive cave onyx.
Age of fossils from the Ladd's Area:
Ladds Quarry site yielded dates of 10,290 (+or-100) years ago & 10,940 (+ or - 210) years ago.
Kingston Saltpeter Cave yielded dates of 10,300 (+or-130) years ago.
Yarborough Cave yielded dates of 14,315 (+or- 755) years ago, 16,500 (+or-1,250) years ago, 18,610 (+or-960) years ago and 23,880 (+or-200) years ago.
Land Mammals Carnivores listed first with herbivores listed below.
(Smaller rodents such as mice have been omitted.)
Scientific Name Common Name
Carnivores
Canis lupus Gray Wolf
Conepatus leuconotus American Hog-nosed Skunk
Didelphis virginiana Virginia Opossum (Marsupial & omnivore)
Leopardus sp Ocelot or Margay
Lutra canadensis North American River Otter
Lynx Rufus Bobcat
Martes pennanti Fisher Cat
Mephitis mephitis Striped Skunk
Mustela frenata Long Tailed Weasel
Panthera onca Jaguar
Puma concolor Cougar
Procyon lotor Raccoon
Urocyon cinereoargenteus Gray Fox
Ursus americanus American Black Bear
Spilogale putorius Eastern Spotted Skunk
Tremarctos floridanus Extinct Florida Cave Bear
Land Mammals, Herbivores/Omnivores
Scientific Name Common Name
Bison sp? Bison (Species?)
Bison Latifrons Giant Bison
Castor canadensis Beaver
Castoroides ohioensis Extinct Giant Beaver
Dasypus bellus Large Armadillo
Equus sp? Horse
Eremotherium laurillardi Largest Giant Ground Sloth
Glaucomys volans Southern Flying Squirrel
Holmesina septentrionalis Giant armadillo
Hydrochaeris holmesi Extinct Holmes Capybara
Mammut americanum American Mastodon
Mammuthis columbi Columbian Mammoth
Megalonyx sp? Giant Ground Sloth
Mylohyus fossilis Extinct Peccary
Neochoerus pinckneyi Extinct Giant Capybara
Odocoileus virginianus White Tail Deer
Palaeolama mirifica Extinct Stout Legged Llama
Paramylodon harlani Ground Sloth
Platygonus compressus Extinct Flat Headed Peccary
Rangifer tarandus Reindeer/Caribou
Sciurus caolinensis Eastern Gray Squirrel
Spermophilus sp? Ground Squirrel
Sylvilagus floridanus Cottontail Rabbit
Sylvilagus palustris Marsh Rabbit
Tapirus veroensis Extinct Tapir
Mammals; Bats
Scientific Name Common Name
Eptesicus fuscus Big Brown Bat
Myotis grisescens Gray Bat
Myotis lucifugus Little Brown Bat
Pipistrellus subflavus Eastern Pipistrelle Bat
Reptiles; Turtle/Tortoise
Scientific Name Common Name
Apalone ferox Florida Soft-shelled Turtle
Chelydra serpentina Common Snapping Turtle
Chrysemys picta Painted Turtle
Clemmys insculpta Wood Turtle
Clemmys muhlenbergii Bog Turtle
Deirochelys reticularia Chicken Turtle
Gopherus polyphemus Gopher Tortoise
Hesperotestudo crassiscutata Extinct Giant Land Tortoise
Hesperotestudo incisa Extinct Land Tortoise
Kinosternon subrubrum Eastern Mud Turtle
Kinosternon sp? Mud Turtle
Pseudemys concinna Eastern River Cooter
Pseudemys nelsoni Florida Redbelly Turtle
Sternotherus sp? Musk Turtle
Terrapene carolina Eastern Box Turtle
Trachemys scripta Pond Slider
Reptiles; Snakes
Scientific Name Common Name
Agkistrodon contortrix Southern Copperhead
Agkistrodon piscivorus Eastern Cottonmouth
Carphophis amoenus Eastern Worm Snake
Coluber constrictor Eastern Racer
Crotalus horridus Timber Rattlesnake
Crotalus sp? Rattlesnake
Diadophis punctatus Ringneck Snake
Elaphe guttata Corn Snake
Elaphe obseleta Black Rat Snake
Elaphe vulpina Eastern Fox Snake
Heterodon platyrhinos Eastern Hognose snake
Heterodon sp? Hognose snake
Lampropeltis calligaster Mole Kingsnake
Lampropeltis getulus Eastern Kingsnake
Lampropeltis triangulum Milk Snake
Nerodia fasciata Southern Water Snake
Nerodia sipedon Northern Water Snake
Opheodrys aestivus Rough Green Snake
Pituophis melanoleucus Pine Snake
Regina sp? Colubrid family of snakes
Storeria dekayi Brown Snake
Thamnophis sauritus Ribbon Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis Common Garter Snake
Virginia striatula Rough Earth Snake
Virginia valeriae Smooth Earth Snake
Reptiles: Crocodilian
Scientific Name Common Name
Alligator mississippiensis Modern American Alligator
Below are lists of animals whose fossils haven’t been seen in Georgia but are expected to be present as they’re known from surrounding states. In many cases this is simply a matter of research, many of the surrounding states, especially Florida, have conducted extensive research in this area where Georgia has not.
Inferred Megafauna Mammals with confirmed locations
Scientific Names Common Name Known Ranges
Bootherium bombifrons Marlan’s Muskox Florida & North Carolina
Bison antiquus Ancient Bison Florida (N. America)
Equus alaskae Small Yukon Horse Florida (known in Alaska)
Equus fraternus Short Legged Horse Florida & Virginia
Equus laurentius Western Horse Florida (also California)
Glyptotherium floridanum Glyptodont Florida & South Carolina
Hemiauchenia macrocephala Large Headed Llama Florida (Once widespread)
Inferred Carnivore Mammals with confirmed locations
Scientific Names Common Name Known Ranges
Canis dirus Extinct Dire Wolf FL & Virginia (Across NA)
Canis latrans Coyote Florida & Virginia (In GA today)
Canis rufus Red Wolf Florida (Across Southeast)
Dinobastis serus Extinct Saber tooth Cat Florida (Once widespread)
Leopardus amnicola Margay Florida (Once widespread)
Leopardus pardalis Ocelot Florida (Once widespread)
Panthera atrox Extinct American Lion Florida & Virginia (Across NA)
Smilodon fatalis True Saber-tooth Tiger Florida & S. Carolina (Common)
Ursus arctos Brown Bear Florida (Once widespread)
See Below
Most of these Bartow County reports originated with research in Ladds Cave and quarry operations in that immediate area. This site is popular with rock clubs as it produces very attractive cave onyx.
Age of fossils from the Ladd's Area:
Ladds Quarry site yielded dates of 10,290 (+or-100) years ago & 10,940 (+ or - 210) years ago.
Kingston Saltpeter Cave yielded dates of 10,300 (+or-130) years ago.
Yarborough Cave yielded dates of 14,315 (+or- 755) years ago, 16,500 (+or-1,250) years ago, 18,610 (+or-960) years ago and 23,880 (+or-200) years ago.
Land Mammals Carnivores listed first with herbivores listed below.
(Smaller rodents such as mice have been omitted.)
Scientific Name Common Name
Carnivores
Canis lupus Gray Wolf
Conepatus leuconotus American Hog-nosed Skunk
Didelphis virginiana Virginia Opossum (Marsupial & omnivore)
Leopardus sp Ocelot or Margay
Lutra canadensis North American River Otter
Lynx Rufus Bobcat
Martes pennanti Fisher Cat
Mephitis mephitis Striped Skunk
Mustela frenata Long Tailed Weasel
Panthera onca Jaguar
Puma concolor Cougar
Procyon lotor Raccoon
Urocyon cinereoargenteus Gray Fox
Ursus americanus American Black Bear
Spilogale putorius Eastern Spotted Skunk
Tremarctos floridanus Extinct Florida Cave Bear
Land Mammals, Herbivores/Omnivores
Scientific Name Common Name
Bison sp? Bison (Species?)
Bison Latifrons Giant Bison
Castor canadensis Beaver
Castoroides ohioensis Extinct Giant Beaver
Dasypus bellus Large Armadillo
Equus sp? Horse
Eremotherium laurillardi Largest Giant Ground Sloth
Glaucomys volans Southern Flying Squirrel
Holmesina septentrionalis Giant armadillo
Hydrochaeris holmesi Extinct Holmes Capybara
Mammut americanum American Mastodon
Mammuthis columbi Columbian Mammoth
Megalonyx sp? Giant Ground Sloth
Mylohyus fossilis Extinct Peccary
Neochoerus pinckneyi Extinct Giant Capybara
Odocoileus virginianus White Tail Deer
Palaeolama mirifica Extinct Stout Legged Llama
Paramylodon harlani Ground Sloth
Platygonus compressus Extinct Flat Headed Peccary
Rangifer tarandus Reindeer/Caribou
Sciurus caolinensis Eastern Gray Squirrel
Spermophilus sp? Ground Squirrel
Sylvilagus floridanus Cottontail Rabbit
Sylvilagus palustris Marsh Rabbit
Tapirus veroensis Extinct Tapir
Mammals; Bats
Scientific Name Common Name
Eptesicus fuscus Big Brown Bat
Myotis grisescens Gray Bat
Myotis lucifugus Little Brown Bat
Pipistrellus subflavus Eastern Pipistrelle Bat
Reptiles; Turtle/Tortoise
Scientific Name Common Name
Apalone ferox Florida Soft-shelled Turtle
Chelydra serpentina Common Snapping Turtle
Chrysemys picta Painted Turtle
Clemmys insculpta Wood Turtle
Clemmys muhlenbergii Bog Turtle
Deirochelys reticularia Chicken Turtle
Gopherus polyphemus Gopher Tortoise
Hesperotestudo crassiscutata Extinct Giant Land Tortoise
Hesperotestudo incisa Extinct Land Tortoise
Kinosternon subrubrum Eastern Mud Turtle
Kinosternon sp? Mud Turtle
Pseudemys concinna Eastern River Cooter
Pseudemys nelsoni Florida Redbelly Turtle
Sternotherus sp? Musk Turtle
Terrapene carolina Eastern Box Turtle
Trachemys scripta Pond Slider
Reptiles; Snakes
Scientific Name Common Name
Agkistrodon contortrix Southern Copperhead
Agkistrodon piscivorus Eastern Cottonmouth
Carphophis amoenus Eastern Worm Snake
Coluber constrictor Eastern Racer
Crotalus horridus Timber Rattlesnake
Crotalus sp? Rattlesnake
Diadophis punctatus Ringneck Snake
Elaphe guttata Corn Snake
Elaphe obseleta Black Rat Snake
Elaphe vulpina Eastern Fox Snake
Heterodon platyrhinos Eastern Hognose snake
Heterodon sp? Hognose snake
Lampropeltis calligaster Mole Kingsnake
Lampropeltis getulus Eastern Kingsnake
Lampropeltis triangulum Milk Snake
Nerodia fasciata Southern Water Snake
Nerodia sipedon Northern Water Snake
Opheodrys aestivus Rough Green Snake
Pituophis melanoleucus Pine Snake
Regina sp? Colubrid family of snakes
Storeria dekayi Brown Snake
Thamnophis sauritus Ribbon Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis Common Garter Snake
Virginia striatula Rough Earth Snake
Virginia valeriae Smooth Earth Snake
Reptiles: Crocodilian
Scientific Name Common Name
Alligator mississippiensis Modern American Alligator
Below are lists of animals whose fossils haven’t been seen in Georgia but are expected to be present as they’re known from surrounding states. In many cases this is simply a matter of research, many of the surrounding states, especially Florida, have conducted extensive research in this area where Georgia has not.
Inferred Megafauna Mammals with confirmed locations
Scientific Names Common Name Known Ranges
Bootherium bombifrons Marlan’s Muskox Florida & North Carolina
Bison antiquus Ancient Bison Florida (N. America)
Equus alaskae Small Yukon Horse Florida (known in Alaska)
Equus fraternus Short Legged Horse Florida & Virginia
Equus laurentius Western Horse Florida (also California)
Glyptotherium floridanum Glyptodont Florida & South Carolina
Hemiauchenia macrocephala Large Headed Llama Florida (Once widespread)
Inferred Carnivore Mammals with confirmed locations
Scientific Names Common Name Known Ranges
Canis dirus Extinct Dire Wolf FL & Virginia (Across NA)
Canis latrans Coyote Florida & Virginia (In GA today)
Canis rufus Red Wolf Florida (Across Southeast)
Dinobastis serus Extinct Saber tooth Cat Florida (Once widespread)
Leopardus amnicola Margay Florida (Once widespread)
Leopardus pardalis Ocelot Florida (Once widespread)
Panthera atrox Extinct American Lion Florida & Virginia (Across NA)
Smilodon fatalis True Saber-tooth Tiger Florida & S. Carolina (Common)
Ursus arctos Brown Bear Florida (Once widespread)