Origin of Species
Occupying the jungles of Harad throughout Middle-Earth, oliphaunts were alive at the same period of time as giant spiders (Araneus Shelob) and a variety dragons. The oliphant (Oliphas Maximus) is the largest land-dwelling mammal known to date. While it remains a mystery where exactly these creatures evolved from, they share close genetic relations to the steppe mammoth (Mammuthus Trogontherii), offering clues into the creatures' orgions. Pictured below: Steppe Mammoth (iNaturalist)
Origin of Species
