Mylodontid

Mylodontids are a group of extinct, large-bodied mammals that lived during the Pleistocene epoch, approximately 2.6 million to 10,000 years ago. They are known for their distinctive, flat, and broad skulls, which were adapted for grazing on tough, fibrous plants. Mylodontids are often referred to as "ground sloths" due to their slow, deliberate movements and their habit of feeding on the ground. They are believed to have played a significant role in shaping the ecosystems of South America during the Pleistocene.

Mylodontids are divided into two main groups: Mylodontinae and Mylodontini. Mylodontinae includes the most well-known species, such as Mylodon darwiniensis and Mylodon insularis, which were found on the mainland and islands of South America, respectively. Mylodontini, on the other hand, includes smaller species that were more specialized in their diet and habitat.

The extinction of mylodontids is thought to have been caused by a combination of factors, including climate change, competition with other large herbivores, and possibly human activity. Despite their eventual extinction, mylodontids left a lasting impact on the ecosystems of South America, and their fossils continue to be studied by paleontologists to better understand the evolution and extinction of large mammals in the region.