Giant Ground Sloth

The Giant Ground Sloth was a large, extinct mammal that lived in the Americas, thriving from around 11,000 to over 10,000 years ago. It belonged to the group of mammals called xenarthrans, which also includes modern tree sloths and armadillos. These creatures were herbivores, feeding on plants, leaves, and fruits, and could grow to the size of a small car, weighing several tons. They were slow-moving, rooted to the ground, and used their massive claws for feeding and defense. Their extinction is believed to be linked to climate changes and human activity during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene periods.