Megatherium (SciiFii)

The giant ground sloth (Megatherium americanum) is a species of large ground sloths endemic to South America that originally lived during the Early Pliocene through the end of the Pleistocene and was once extinct, bur has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and introduced to the forests, open woodlands, and grasslands of South America to help boost biodiversity. Only a few other land mammals equal or exceed the giant ground sloth in size, such as large proboscideans (elephants, etc) and the giant rhinoceros Paraceratherium. The giant ground sloth is one of the largest sloths and the largest of the xenarthran mammals on Earth's history, weighing up to 4 tonnes (4.4 short tons) and measuring up to 6 meters (20 feet) in length from head to tail, it grows to be about the size of an African elephant (Loxodonta) when fully grown. Despite its massive size, it is normally a peaceful and gentle giant that only feeds on plants such as leaves, fruits, shrubs, and, occasionally, grasses. It has a robust skeleton with a large pelvic girdle and a broad muscular tail. Its large size enable it to feed at heights unreachable by other contemporary herbivores. Although it is primarily a quadruped, it can rise on its powerful hind legs and using its tail to form a tripod, supporting its massive body weight while using the curved claws on its long forelegs to pull down branches with the choicest leaves. It has a narrow, cone-shaped mouth and prehensile lips that are used to select particular plants and fruits, and it also has a long prehensile tounge like a giraffe to help it in eating plants. This sloth, like an anteater, walk on the sides of its feet because its claws prevent it from putting them flat on the ground. Due to its massive size, its fur is short and not as densely packed, as a way to prevent the animal from overheating. Just like elephants, giant ground sloths are social herd-dwelling animals and protect unrelated calves against any potential danger. The conservation status of the giant ground sloth is Vulnerable due to some habitat loss and historic poaching, however, the conservationists have since protected the giant ground sloths and their habitats, allowing the giant ground sloths to make a comeback.
Category:Animals
Category:SciiFii
Category:Mammals
Category:Cenozoic Park