Ground sloth
Mylodon darwini
🦥⬇️
Chordata
Mammalia
Pilosa
Mylodontoidea
Mylodontidae
Mylodon darwini
The Giant Ground Sloth of Patagonia, Mylodon darwinii was a massive herbivore that once roamed the cold grasslands and forests of southern South America. Named after Charles Darwin, who discovered its remains in 1832, this prehistoric sloth was covered in thick fur and reinforced with small bony plates for protection against predators like saber-toothed cats.
Description
Mylodon darwinii, commonly known as Darwin's Ground Sloth, was a large terrestrial mammal that roamed South America during the Pleistocene epoch. It measured about 3 meters in length and weighed between 1,000 and 2,000 kilograms. Unlike modern arboreal sloths, Mylodon was ground-dwelling and possessed a robust, heavily built frame. Its skull was elongated and narrow, differing from the shorter, broader skulls of some related species. A distinctive feature of Mylodon was its thick skin embedded with small bony ossicles called osteoderms, providing added protection against predators. Recent studies suggest that, unlike its strictly herbivorous modern relatives, Mylodon may have been an opportunistic omnivore, occasionally scavenging meat.
Quick Facts
Max Mass
Shoulder Height
Standing Height
Length
Diet
Trophic Level
2000
1.5
2.25
3.2
kg
m
m
m
Mixed Feeder
Herbivores – Browsers
Hunt History
Mylodon darwinii lived alongside early human settlers of South America. Archaeological evidence suggests humans hunted and possibly scavenged Mylodon, using its tough hide for shelter and its meat as a food source. Some caves in southern Chile show signs of butchery and hide processing, indicating close human interaction.
Earliest Archaeological Evidence of Human Predation:
Cueva del Milodón, Chile (~12,000 BP) — Skin, bones, and dung of Mylodon found alongside stone tools, suggesting hunting or scavenging.
Arroyo Seco 2, Argentina (~10,000 BP) — Cut marks on Mylodon bones indicate butchery and meat removal.
Torres del Paine Region, Chile (~11,000 BP) — Remains found with fire traces and artifacts consistent with human activity.
Time & Range
Extinction Status
Globally Extinct
Extinction Date
Temporal Range
Region
12000
BP
Late Pleistocene
South America
Wiki Link
Fat Analysis
Fatness Profile:
Medium
Fat %
7
Est. Renderable Fat
140
kg
Targeted Organs
Subcutaneous pads, visceral fat
Adipose Depots
Subcutaneous pads (inguinal/abdominal), visceral; marrow
Preferred Cuts
Marrow & abdominal depots
Hunt Difficulty (x/5)
4