Mylodon

Mylodon (Gr., 'grinder-teeth'), a genus of huge fossil sloths, whose remains are found in the Pleistocene deposits of America, associated with the Megatherium and other allied genera. A complete skeleton of the best-known species (M. robustus), dug up at Buenos Ayres, measured 11 feet from the forepart of the skull to the end of the tail. Another species from the same region was considerably larger. The genus ranged into North America, the remains of one species (M. Harlani) having been found in Kentucky. Although like the modern sloth in general structure and dentition, the immense size of Mylodon forbids us to suppose that it could have had the same arboreal habits, and the modifications of its structure seem to have fitted it for the uprooting and prostrating of the trees, the foliage of which supplied it with food.