Mylodon

Mylodon is an extinct genus of giant ground sloth that lived in South America during the Pleistocene epoch. The most well-known species is Mylodon darwinii, named after Charles Darwin who discovered fossil remains of the creature. Mylodon was a large herbivore, estimated to weigh around 1,000 to 2,000 kilograms and stand about 2.5 to 3 meters tall when on all fours. It possessed powerful claws, though these are thought to have been used for digging and defense rather than for tearing flesh, as Mylodon was a herbivore. Its diet likely consisted of grasses, shrubs, and other vegetation found in the diverse environments of prehistoric South America.

Fossil evidence suggests that Mylodon inhabited a range of habitats, from grasslands to open woodlands. Remains have been found in caves and open deposits across Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. The discovery of preserved skin, hair, and even dung has provided valuable insights into its appearance and lifestyle. Some of these remarkable preservations were found in caves, suggesting a possible link to early human activity, though direct evidence of Mylodon being hunted by humans is scarce. Mylodon became extinct relatively recently in geological terms, likely around 10,000 years ago, coinciding with the end of the Pleistocene and the arrival of humans in South America. The exact causes of its extinction are debated but likely involved a combination of climate change and potential human influence.