Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Science
Related: About this forumAncient species of giant sloth discovered in Mexico
17 August 2017 - 01H40
MEXICO CITY (AFP) -
Mexican scientists said Wednesday they have discovered the fossilized remains of a previously unknown species of giant sloth that lived 10,000 years ago and died at the bottom ofe a sinkhole.
The Pleistocene-era remains were found in 2010, but were so deep inside the water-filled sinkhole that researchers were only gradually able to piece together what they were, the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) said in announcing the find.
Scientists have so far hauled up the skull, jawbone, and a mixed bag of vertebrae, ribs claws and other bones, but the rest of the skeleton remains some 50 meters (165 feet) under water, the INAH said.
Researchers are planning to bring up the rest by next year to continue studying the find -- including to estimate how big the animal was.
More:
http://www.france24.com/en/20170817-ancient-species-giant-sloth-discovered-mexico
Giant Sloth, not so giant man.
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
4 replies, 4890 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (4)
ReplyReply to this post
4 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Ancient species of giant sloth discovered in Mexico (Original Post)
Judi Lynn
Aug 2017
OP
Docreed2003
(16,877 posts)1. Very interesting...
Wonder if this is the same species responsible for the giant tunnels I read about here recently, I believe in Chile
eppur_se_muova
(36,296 posts)2. I did it again ... I had a "Calvin and Hobbes moment" ...
First I got all excited ... then I realized they meant "*fossilized remains* of Ancient species" ...
Let down again.
hunter
(38,328 posts)3. We should probably thank these guys and their relatives for avocados...
... just as we should thank bears for apples.
They spread the seeds of the tastiest avocados just as bears spread the seeds of the tastiest apples.
NickB79
(19,273 posts)4. Forget Jurassic Park; these are some of the guys I'd like to see "de-extincted" if possible
Bring back the Pleistocene megafauna!