Giant Sloth Claw

[veronesepk]

I saw this for sale on the internet, advertised as a giant sloth claw, but it looks to have an extra extension where the claw joins. Any ideas/opinions? Thanks! - Keith

Edited July 25, 2010 by veronesepk

[Frank Menser]

Looking at the color and texture I don't think all the parts are from the same animal.

[barefootgirl]

Why is the middle piece a different color?

[Harry Pristis]

Let's put it this way: all the bones seem to be sloth carpals or tarsals. There is lots of reference information on the Internet; and, here's a drawing to use for a starter:

[woodardcoin]

I am not an expert but looks like not all the bones are from the same animal to me .

[PrehistoricFlorida]

The claw is partial. It's missing the proximal articulating surface. I'd have to see additional pictures of the phalanges, but one looks awfully like a bison phalanx to me. Attached is a picture of a few of my sloth fingers that I've put together.

[Harry Pristis]

The claw is partial. It's missing the proximal articulating surface. I'd have to see additional pictures of the phalanges, but one looks awfully like a bison phalanx to me. Attached is a picture of a few of my sloth fingers that I've put together.

That is a good observation, Nate. I assumed that the middle bone was a match for the first phalanx (left), just stream-polished to a heavy degree. But, it could easily be a less-stream-polished bison phalanx.