Imagine that the Earth has just experienced a great flood, worldwide volcanic eruption, meteor strike or ice age. Design a new animal species that will survive. Choose a natural disaster and write your choice in the space given below:

Natural Disaster Choice: Ice Age

New Animal Species: Thermofur Mammoth

Design:

1. Size and Structure: The Thermofur Mammoth would be a large animal, similar in size to the prehistoric mammoth, to maintain a lower surface area to volume ratio. This would help in reducing heat loss. Its body would be sturdy and robust to withstand the harsh cold weather.

2. Fur and Skin: It would have a thick layer of blubber under its skin for insulation against the cold. The fur would be dense and long, with an undercoat for additional warmth. The fur would also be oil-sealed to prevent it from getting wet and losing its insulating properties.

3. Feet: The feet would be wide and padded to help the animal walk on snow without sinking. The pads would also provide extra insulation.

4. Food Source: The Thermofur Mammoth would be a herbivore, feeding on hardy plants that can survive the ice age. It would have large, flat teeth for grinding and a long, prehensile trunk to reach food buried under the snow.

5. Hibernation: The animal would have the ability to hibernate during the coldest months, slowing down its metabolism to conserve energy.

6. Reproduction: The Thermofur Mammoth would give birth to a single offspring at a time, which would be more manageable in the harsh conditions. The gestation period would be long, allowing the offspring to be born well-developed and better equipped to survive the cold.

7. Social Structure: The Thermofur Mammoth would live in herds for protection and shared warmth. They would have a strong sense of community and cooperation, essential for survival in such extreme conditions.