1. Megatherium By: Courtney Karis

2. Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Superorder: Xenarthra Order: Pilosa Family: Megatheriidae Genus: Megatherium

3. Megatherium americanum>scientific name translates to “giant beast” They lived 1.9 million to 8000 years ago Ground sloths are members of the South American group the Xenarthra which includes modern tree sloths, anteaters and armadillos as well as the extinct glyptodonts Was a giant ground sloth, covered in long dark hair. It had huge claws and could walk on its hind legs similar to a bear.

4. They inhabited woodlands and grasslands Have been found as north as Texas and as south as Argentina, but is more likely to be found in South Africa For the most part they lived in groups, but sometimes they lived alone in caves Weighed almost as much as an elephant Grew to be up to 6 meters long, and 3.8 tons

5. They are herbivores, mainly browsing vegetation, but possibly scavenged meat too With huge claws, thought possible to kill animals such as glyptodonts The megatherium may have used its large size as well to hunt the Smilodon or the Glyptodon

6. When on its hind legs, was approximately 20ft tall In order to accurately stand so high up, it used its tail to form a tripod with its hind legs to support its weight so it could use its front legs to rummage through the trees The thick skin and fur of the megatherium protected it from predators, even though it lived for the most part, in a predator free environment

10. Works Cited http://www.abc.net.au/beasts/factfiles/factfiles/megatherium.htm?picNu m=4.jpg http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/456.shtml http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megatherium http://www.paleocraft.com/Megatherium.html