Sloth

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La Brea									Fla miocene

SLOTHS

this page was last updated 05/05/08

SLOTH TEETH

Sloths belong to the group called Xenarthrans, formerly called Edentata, including anteaters, glyptodonts, armadillos and sloths. Those from Florida evolved in South America. Most fossil xenarthrans have no enamel on their teeth, but the teeth continued to grow throughout the life of the animal so as to compensate for this.
There were basically three different types or genus of sloths in Florida, the mylodontids, the megalonychids, and the megatheres. The first includes the Thinobastides in the Miocene, and the small Glossotherium chapadmalense and the larger Paramylodon harlani. These are ones which have the straight, more rounded in cross-section claw cores.

The second group are the megalonychids which arrived in the late Miocene and lasted until the late Pleistocene. These start with the Pliometanastes and grow progressively larger through M. curvidens, (early Pliocene), leptostomus, (late Pliocene-early Pleistocene) M. wheatleyi, and M. jeffersoni. These sloths had more curved, flat claw cores, as did the eremotheres. In the teeth that follow, the smaller teeth are those of the earlier sloths.

The third type includes the enormous eremothere and the much smaller Nothrotheriops texanum. Both of these are relatively more scarce in Florida than the other two types. The large Eremotherium teeth are often found split in half. Indeed, all sloth teeth are fragile and need careful handling.

assorted sloth teeth. I think the Eremothere is a baby. Note: top row, second from right is sold, meg 20 is sold

Megalonyx tusk Pleistocene Dixie Co. FL
2 5/8" $20 order f40
COMMENTS: some water erosion but good solid tusk with intact chewing surface.

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Paramylodon harlani
Late Pleistocene
North Florida
Left Front Foot
This foot is a composite of several animals. Although all
the major bones are correct, some of the smaller carpals,
while very close, may not be 100% accurate. There is no
restoration on any bone. The largest claw measures
approximately 7". The foot itself measures approximately
13" and is mounted on a beautiful piece of polished cherry.
Sloth feet are almost never offered for sale. See enlargements.
Order cf179. $2,250

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$12 order f210 first digit behind claw SOLD

Giant Ground Sloth claw core
Paramylodon harlani Pleistocene Dixie Co. FL
2 3/4" $100 order f182
COMMENTS: The epiphysis reveals that this is a young adult with the proximal articular surface as yet not ossified. Complete, intact, with no restoration nor glue.

Giant Ground Sloth claw core
Paramylodon harlani Pleistocene Dixie Co. FL
4 1/8" $200 order f181
COMMENTS: The epiphysis reveals that this is a young adult with the proximal articular surface as yet not ossified. Complete, intact, with no restoration nor glue. Found with f182 and very likely from the same animal.

Measurements are straight for the claw only, not along the curve,

Paramylodon harlani
Late Pleistocene
Alachua Co. FL
6 " REDUCED!$525 order cf194
COMMENTS: fine claw

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best fossils	general- fossils			artifacts	restorations		tapirs	sold fossils	ammonites
proboscidea	bear	cat	shark	wolf	casts	sloth	choice- fossils	sold- artifacts	AUTHENTICATION
La Brea									Fla miocene

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