Basic Giant Sloth Info
Giant sloths were a group of large, ground-based sloths that evolved in South America and quickly radiated through Central America and into Much of North America. Though some were relatively small, others, such as the giant Eremotherium, were among the largest land mammals of all time. They were very robust creatures and some had an armament of massive claws backed by immense arm strength. More than 80 genra have been recorded and a few of those are noted below.
Eremotherium
Eremotherium, also known as the “Pan-American ground sloth”, was one of the largest (if not the largest) land mammals ever recorded in the western hemisphere. With claws an amazing 23 inches long, it stood up to 21 feet tall. It lived in the Americas starting in the late Pliocene and ending with the Pleistocene mass extinction.
Megalonyx
Megalonyx is a well-known genus of giant sloth. It range over North America, as far North as Alaska, starting in the late Miocene and ending with the Pleistocene mass-extinction. The animal was originally discovered by cave miners in the eastern USA, who sent claws and bones to amateur paleontologist, Thomas Jefferson (yes, it’s the same Thomas Jefferson you think it is). The animal was eventually named Megalonyx jeffersonii.
Thalassocnus
Thalassocnus lived in Miocene and Pliocene South America. It was different from most giant sloths in that it was semi-aquatic, like the hippopotamus of today.
Giant sloths were a group of large, ground-based sloths that evolved in South America and quickly radiated through Central America and into Much of North America. Though some were relatively small, others, such as the giant Eremotherium, were among the largest land mammals of all time. They were very robust creatures and some had an armament of massive claws backed by immense arm strength. More than 80 genra have been recorded and a few of those are noted below.
Eremotherium
Eremotherium, also known as the “Pan-American ground sloth”, was one of the largest (if not the largest) land mammals ever recorded in the western hemisphere. With claws an amazing 23 inches long, it stood up to 21 feet tall. It lived in the Americas starting in the late Pliocene and ending with the Pleistocene mass extinction.
Megalonyx
Megalonyx is a well-known genus of giant sloth. It range over North America, as far North as Alaska, starting in the late Miocene and ending with the Pleistocene mass-extinction. The animal was originally discovered by cave miners in the eastern USA, who sent claws and bones to amateur paleontologist, Thomas Jefferson (yes, it’s the same Thomas Jefferson you think it is). The animal was eventually named Megalonyx jeffersonii.
Thalassocnus
Thalassocnus lived in Miocene and Pliocene South America. It was different from most giant sloths in that it was semi-aquatic, like the hippopotamus of today.
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