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RARE MASSIVE UNBROKEN EREMOTHERIUM GIANT GROUND SLOTH TOOTH Undisclosed River - Florida, U.S.A. LATE PLEISTOCENE PERIOD: 120,000 - 10,000 years ago Ice Age mammal fossils are not as popular with collectors despite some of the most bizarre creatures in prehistory being amongst the mammal group. Collections that comprise fossils from these overlooked beasts of the past often raise more attention and stir interest as most lay-persons are not aware of many of the magnificent mammals that walked the earth before the end of the last Ice Age. Giant sloths are among these creatures and giant ground sloth fossils are not only impressive to display but fine quality specimens are rare, as well. This is a rare and beautifully preserved large molar tooth from THE LARGEST OF ALL giant ground sloths, Eremotherium. Eremotherium lived during North America's last Ice Age. It is very difficult to locate INTACT Eremotherium teeth with COMPLETE undamaged V-shaped chewing surfaces on the crown - a classic hallmark of these teeth. Despite our main operation being based in the prime region where these fossils are found, we have encountered very few complete specimens like this. A rare INVESTMENT CLASS fossil tooth such as this specimen presents an incredible opportunity. Guaranteed NO REPAIR and NO RESTORATION. This beauty is AS FOUND! Cracks seen in the tooth are due to age not mishandling and are completely stable and superficial. Color is a natural multi-shade brown. The chewing surface is complete and perfectly preserved which is hard to find even if you do ever find one of these RARE, giant fossil teeth. This is the ultimate addition for any Ice Age mammal fossil tooth collection!!! Due to the extreme scarcity of Eremotherium teeth of this size, completeness and intact nature, this specimen will certainly prove to be a promising investment fossil. Giant ground sloths were slow-moving herbivores that died out at the end of the Pleistocene Period. They are survived today only by dog-sized tree-dwelling forms found in Central and South America. Some prehistoric giant ground sloths grew as large as a modern elephant. Giant ground sloths were so large that they were not able to climb trees, hence their land-roving lifestyle. Giant sloths are related to armadillos, sharing similar designs in their blunt, deep skulls as well as their mandibles. Their jaws were powered by very robust muscles for chewing vegetation and each jaw possessed three to five teeth. Giant ground sloths possessed very large feet sporting massive claws. Their claws were so large that they walked on the sides of their feet. Sloths could stand on their hind legs aided by a very strong tail, to reach vegetation at levels higher than other herbivores could typically reach. It is theorized that sloths first entered North America through Florida, nine million years ago from the South American continent. The first sloths in North America were the Mylodonts represented by two species of the genus Thinobadistes and the Megalonychids represented by the genus Pliometanastes. Later in the Pliocene, sloths again entered North America with two Mylodont species, Glossotherium chapadmalense and Paramylodon harlani, and with the Megalonychids genus, Megalonyx. By the Early Pleistocene, the largest ground sloths appeared, the Megatheriidae with several species represented. The largest ground sloth to have ever lived in North America is a member of this last group and is known as Eremotherium. The male Eremotheriums grew to an estimated THREE TONS. Giant ground sloths in the Americas went extinct at the end of the Pleistocene. EXTREMELY RARE GIANT MOLAR - FINDING A TOOTH WITH A COMPLETE CHEWING SURFACE OF THESE BEASTS IS RARE! PRIZE FOSSIL FROM THE LARGEST OF THE GIANT GROUND SLOTHS THAT EVER WALKED THE EARTH 3" in length $695 LM3-038 Actual Item - One Only |
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