Ice Age is rich in the species diversity it presents, with each new adventure introducing new specimens. The viewer can discover more about this little-known time in the world of animation that is the Pleistocene period in the film during one of the ice ages of history. Our goal here is to help you identify which species is present in the individual saga, so that you can learn from what you see. The film crew have visited museums to study the skeletons of the animals you observe, and we'll also share with you an illustation of the actual animal.

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During migration, many species move northward. For example, two females glyptodons are told gossip while one of their congener tries to steal... in falling from above.

Here is what they look like in the film, then a caricature of the real animal to compare.

The Glyptodon
(Doedicurus)

It can be seen that the film remained very realistic and faithful to the animal!

Species information: The Doedicurus was the largest breed of glyptodons. It is estimated that they disappeared late in the ice age, and had been able to cross the first men. This was a herbivore, an ancestor of the tatoo, whose tail was not used to defend themselves from predators, but from its congeners. Under its shell at the shoulders, palaeontologists have found the existence of a fat hump similar to camels, which would have served to store energy for the dry season while absorbing shocks confrontations.

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In the tumult of migration, a dispute broke out over a trivial matter between two Macrauchenia.

The Macrauchenia
(Famille des Litopterna)

Species information: The Macrauchenia was named as such because it means "long lama", in which both species shares its long neck. It was the last representative of the family of Liptotemas because it did not survive the invasion of men on its territory in South America throughout its seven thousand years of existence. It was herbivorous and fed on leaves of trees and grass. It is assumed that they used their trunk to feed, and they lived in herds as ungulates (today known as wildebeest or antelope).

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Then in walking "against the current”, Manny finds a nervous Moeritherium who verbally insults him saying to look where he goes, who with no doubt was trying to protect his family.

The Moeritherium

Species information: The Moeritherium is a distant ancestor of the elephant that has evolved differently from one. We can also relate it to the dugong and manatee, herbivorous marine mammals today, or the pig and tapirs. They lived in swamps and rivers such as the hippopotamus today and had incisors similar to these. It is said that the Moeritherium left no descendants behind them. (Note: It is ironic when you think he was making fun of Manny in the movie!)

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In the horde that migrates, there are also a few discreet aardvarks which also appear in the sequels.

The Aardvark
(Tubulidentata)

Species information: The Aardvark is an animal that still exists today, but many of them have disappeared over the years. It could be compared to the pig or kangaroo, but it is indeed a species of ungulate to leave whole. With a diet consisting of termites, beetles and larvae, it is a nocturnal animal that remains hidden in its burrow during the day. Although this is an anteater, it has a few jaws including molars. It is hunted for its meat today, but difficult to capture because of its powerful claws.

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While Manny begins to leave the crowd while being a little annoyed, a little lazy sloth arrives in his way, pursued by two abusive brontotheriums, gigantic prehistoric rhinoceros.

The Brontotherium
(Brontotheriidae)

Species information: The Brontotherium was the greatest representative of Brontotheriidae family. This giant was about 2.5 metres in width and 4.3 metres in length. They had two almost-vertical horns that exceeded the height of their skull. They could not eat as tender herbs, which probably ended up causing his death. Their bones were identified as great horses galloping in the sky by triggering thunder given their size. That's where the name came from their families, meaning "thunder animals”.

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Later when Diego joined the group and they hit the road, they encounter flightless birds known as dodos.

The Dodo

Species information: The dodo is an animal that died very late unlike other species during the ice age, for it is only in the 17th century that they became extinct. Its name has a rather mysterious origin, but we do know that it comes from the Dutch, although it is not known whether it comes from the lazy or dodaars term ("ass tied”, because of his tail). It was a bit timid and flightless bird, which probably got it into active hunting, despite the many testimonies stating that its meat is poor.