The Pleistocene epoch was primarily marked by the glaciation of the earth. More than 30% of the world, primarily in the northern portions of the globe, were covered in ice. These glaciers changed the landscape of the ground below, shaping new mountains and carving new valleys. While the massive ice deposits of the Pleistocene epoch are often thought of as the time’s reining feature, there were other important environmental factors which influenced the flora and fauna that thrived during the time.

Periglacial environments were the spaces that surround the glaciers and ice sheets. They were much different from similar areas in today’s environment. During the Pleistocene, the periglacial areas were much colder and even had a layer of permafrost. In North America, the periglacial environment was about 125 miles wide, whereas in Europe and Russia it was often about 300 miles or more. Closest to the glacier, temperatures were about -6°C and closer to the opposite edge they are about 0°C.

Glaciers, as well as the frost and thaw of the permafrost areas, created colossal lakes. Lake Agassiz was so large it covered portions of Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan, North Dakota, and Minnesota. As the glaciers ebbed and flowed, and higher land enclosed melting glacier waters, these lakes were created. The Great Lakes, and lakes in Champlain Valley and Hudson Valley were made in this way.

Due to the extreme cold of the glacial and permafrost areas, and their constant change, plants and animals were constantly migrating. The plants would die off as permafrost got too close to their locations, and, therefore, the animals which fed on them followed them as well. While plant individuals could not physically move, they would die off instead. Animals were able to move, and herds would follow where the food was located. By the end of the epoch, many of the roaming giants died off. These mega mammals probably became extinct due to over-hunting by humans and their inability to cope with quick climate and food source changes.

Humans were going through changes during this time as well. It was during this time that humans were first moving out of Africa. Homo erectus, Neanderthal, and other species have been found outside of Africa dated to the Pleistocene era. By the end of the epoch, Home sapiens fossils have been found as far as Australia and North and South America. The Pleistocene period changed not only where people were living, not only confined to the continent of Africa, but changed their DNA material and evolution of our modern day human species.

As previously mentioned, these human ancestors hunted many of the megafauna that lived during the Pleistocene era. Individually living in what is today, Idaho, was the giant bison, or Bison latifrons. The bison was extinct by the end of the era even though it thrived for over 200,000 years. It grew to a massive size of 8.2 feet tall at the shoulders and weighed in at over 4,400 pounds. The horns of Bison latifrons could be more than 84 inches across. Bone comparison indicated that it is between 25% and 50% larger than today’s American bison. It is sometimes considered the largest bovid and ruminant to ever walk the earth.

Bison latifrons was a herbivore that lived in small family groups. It grazed across the Great Plains and forests of North America. It preferred warmer weather and moved based on climate change and glacier movement. Fossils have been found as far south and west as San Diego, California. It was hunted as prey by saber-toothed cats and bears.

The Pleistocene era was at a time of significant change in many different aspects of the world. People, animals, and even plant life were changing and moving based on the changing climates.