Name:

 Location:

This is a superb example of a hand claw from one of these awesome creatures. It originates from Bolivia, South America.

Size:

Length –aprox. 16 cm (LONG!) and  5 cm wide. One repair to the tip of the claw (as seen), but doesn't detract from the overall quality of the claw.

Geological Age:

Classification:

Pleistocene period (1.8 million years ago to 10,000 years).

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum:  Chordata

Class:   Mammalia

Superorder:  Xenarthra

Order:  Pilosa

Family: Megatheriidae

Genus:  Megatherium

Species: The type species, †Megatherium americanum sp. - Cuvier 1796

Condition:

Fossil Info:

Megatherium is an extinct genus of ground sloth. All Giant ground sloths are now extinct, the last of the ground sloths died out possibly as late as the 1500's (Hispaniola, Cuba). Tree sloths still survive. These Giant Ground Sloths were huge, being the size of an elephant and were robustly built with very strong bones and huge claws. Their disappearance was probably due to varous factors: Ice Ages and climate change, predation by human and big cat activity, or even disease.

The Genus Megatherium had a wide distribution, being found in both North and South America during it's time, with several different known species.

This is a FANTASTIC example of a COMPLETE Giant Sloth hand claw from a Megatherium. The bone itself is solid. Truly a rare item and coming from my personal collection. An offer here never to be repeated!

PLEASE ALSO SEE THE OTHER ITEMS LISTED.

THANKS!