An update on Sloths

[Shellseeker]

Back in December, I found a really nice Paramylodon harlani claw in the Peace River. described in this thread.

http://www.thefossilforum.com/index.php?/topic/120010-a-fantastic-christmas-present/&tab=comments#comment-1316237

In March, I found another Sloth Claw in a different location that had produced some late Pliocene, early Pleistocene fossils. In the month before I found this claw ,  I found 2 sloth teeth, identified as P. harlani. I made a foolish assumption that the claw was also P. harlani because that was a likely species in that location.

 

Fast forward to last night.  I was at a fossil club meeting showing the 2 claws to the resident Identification expert , Louis Steiffel,  who stated in no uncertain terms that these 2 claws came from different species. And told me a couple of things I did not know about sloths... This is the December tooth.. It is from P. harlani and is a claw from a back foot because it is straight!! It also has a slight lean from right to left and would thus he on the right rear foot.

 

This is the claw from March.  It leans from left to right, has a pronounced curve so would be on the left front foot! And it is not Paramylodon harlani.

 

 

Searched the internet, 

 

Sent the photos and an email request to Richard Hulbert,  who promptly answered.

Quote

The claw in image 5784 is a Megalonyx, probably Megalonyx Leptostomas. Difference between the two is that Megalonyx claws are narrower (side to side).  Nice one !   Richard.

It is more likely Leptostomas because Megalonyx curvidens existed in the middle miocene  with different fauna than I find in these layers,  and Megalonyx wheatleyi was larger and a transition to M. jeffersoni.

A photo to help on the width difference between to similar length claws. On the left the width is 18.6 mm and on the right width is 12.3 mm. When I learn new things, I like to document them for other fossil hunters,  Jack

 

[Ironhead42]

Very interesting post on sloth claws! These are some of my favorite fossils.

[Shellseeker]

18 minutes ago, Ironhead42 said:

Very interesting post on sloth claws! These are some of my favorite fossils.

Thank you.  I am incredibly fortunate in what I find, sometimes running hot for 6 or 9 months.  My"favorite" tend to be be both somewhat rare and what I am finding during that particular time frame.  Back in the 2012-2013 season, I found 15-20 sloth fossils,  both teeth,bones, and a single claw.  My hunting companions took to calling me The Sloth whisperer. and then it just stopped for a couple of years. At the end of 2016 , Whale teeth were my favorite fossil.

Here is the 3 inch claw that started my adulation of Sloth.

[Ironhead42]

This is my one and only and I had to purchase this one. I haven't lived in Florida in years so did what I had to in order to add one to my collection.

[Shellseeker]

14 hours ago, Ironhead42 said:

This is my one and only and I had to purchase this one. I haven't lived in Florida in years so did what I had to in order to add one to my collection.

Nice !!!.  Sharp tip.  Did the seller identify the specific sloth?  No/little curve would imply a hind leg.