The Mylodon was a large ground sloth that roamed portions of South America and the Patagonia region before becoming extinct around 8,000 BC. The mylodon weighed about 1,000 kilograms (2,205 lbs.) and measured about 3 meters (nearly 10 ft.) in length.

On the second voyage of HMS Beagle (1831 – 1836), Charles Darwin first identified the species from bones found at a site near present day Buenos Aires, Argentina. In 1895 and 1896, well-preserved samples of Mylodon remains were discovered in the Cueva del Milodón site near Puerto Natales and Seno de Última Esperanza (Last Hope Sound) in Chilean Patagonia.

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Cueva del Milodón is a huge cave in which remains of Mylodons, humans and other animals including sabre tooth cats have been found.

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This cave provides excellent shelter. When I visited in November 2016, the weather was cold and extremely windy. Inside, however, the cave was surprisingly warm.

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Although the mylodon is a sloth not a bear, visiting this site elicited memories of the movie Clan of the Cave Bear and thoughts of the precarious nature of survival in prehistoric times.

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The mylodon was a herbivore but its size, tough hide, and long claws made it tough prey for humans to hunt successfully. Here’s to a Sculpture Saturday salute to the mylodon.

Sculpture Saturday is a challenge hosted by Susan Kelly at No Fixed Plans.

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