One of the mysteries of the Rings trilogy is the appearance of the mumakil ridden by the Easterners. Like many of Tolkien’s creatures they are sparsely described and that description serves to add emotional weight to the story, not provide a mental picture. We can imagine Tolkien had earthly elephants in mind when he wrote those chapters, ones that, perhaps, were a bit larger than their real-world counterparts, or prehistoric mammoths as depicted by animator Ralph Bakshi in his version of the LOTR. (Tolkien, however, did not mention fur.) The lack of a firm description is, of course, wonderful for Tolkien artists, as it lets them come up with their own ideas.
But what if the mumakil were based on a real-world, albeit imaginary, species of proboscideans? They might be one of these. Click on the links and you’ll learn something about elephants too.
Mumakil candidates that are entirely imaginary
| Mammuthus tyrannotusk |
This larger relative of the Columbian mammoth towered above its brethren at a height of 15 feet at the shoulder and weighed nearly 13 tons. Its tusks, stretching nearly 20 feet, were reinforced with sharp keratin ridges, allowing it to topple entire trees with a single swing. Despite its size, Mammuthus tyrannotusk was a surprisingly agile swimmer, using its trunk as a snorkel to cross rivers in search of vegetation. Indications were it had dense, bluish-gray fur for protection against extreme cold. |
| Deinotherium caelorex | The name of this species means “Sky king” for it stood an astounding 19 feet at the shoulder. Like other members of genus Deinotherium it had downward-curving tusks on its lower jaw, but it also sported a pair of long, straight tusks in its upper jaw that it used like spears. Its pillar-like legs were taller in proportion to its body than most members of the Proboscidea, with broad feet that were nimble and flexible, with clawlike nails. This suggests it lived in mountains and hills were it scrambled up forested slopes in search of forage, crossing even snowbound passes in its never-ending migrations. |
| Zygolophodin dracoderm | Covered in thick, scale-like plates of keratin resembling dragon hide, this mastodon relative grew to 16 feet at the shoulder and was nearly invulnerable to attacks from predators. Its tusks, growing in a spiraled shape, were used not only for combat but also for stripping entire trees of their bark in seconds. A second, smaller pair of tusks grew from their lower jaw and in combination with the upper, acted as serrated shears. Living in herds of up to 100, these armored giants created their own ecosystem as they crossed the open plains. |
| Gomphotherium arcanus | This giant proboscidean is renowned for its subtly iridescent skin—an adaptation thought to arise from unique mineral deposits embedded in its dermal layers. It has four straight tusks of equal length, one pair each in the upper and lower jaws. The lower jaw is much longer and stronger than in modern elephants. Its forehead is covered by a thick, bony plate with pronounced ridges over its eyes. Expansive ears function like natural radiators, dissipating heat from its enormous body during the summer. Thick-boned and heavily muscled, it stood 17 feet at the shoulder and weighed close to 19 tons. |
| Palaeoloxodon fortis | Perhaps the most fantastical of these ancient giants, Palaeoloxodon fortis soars in size to 20′ at the shoulder to reach the towering canopies of jungle forests. Its six uniquely cloud-patterned tusks shimmer under the primeval sky as it moves. Closely related to (but much larger than) the African elephant, this species has an expanded cranial capacity enabling it to form sophisticated social structures and communication networks within its herds. The parieto-occipetal crest on top of its skull is more prominent and forms two high ridges on mature males that boast colorful patterns in breeding season. Males also carry two horns which are grown and shed seasonally.
Thriving in an era marred by volcanic upheaval and meteorite impacts, this resilient species stands as a testament to nature’s capacity for wonder. |
