Acratocnus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acratocnus |
|
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Superorder: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: |
†Megalocnidae
|
| Genus: |
†Acratocnus
Anthony 1916
|
| Type species | |
| Acratocnus odontrigonus Anthony, 1916
|
|
| Species | |
|
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Habanocnus Mayo, 1978 |
|
Acratocnus was a type of ground sloth that is now extinct. These ancient sloths lived on islands like Cuba, Hispaniola (which is now the Dominican Republic and Haiti), and Puerto Rico. They were much larger than the sloths we see today.
Contents
What Kind of Animal Was Acratocnus?
For a long time, scientists thought Acratocnus and other Caribbean sloths belonged to a group called Megalonychidae. This group also included the two-toed tree sloths we know today.
But new studies, looking at their DNA (molecular evidence), showed something different. Caribbean sloths are actually a special, very old branch of the sloth family tree. They are now placed in their own family called Megalocnidae.
Where Did Acratocnus Live?
Fossils of Acratocnus have been found on the islands of Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Hispaniola. They lived in the mountain forests of these islands.
The Acratocnus found in Puerto Rico, known as Acratocnus odontrigonus, is mostly known from old cave digs. Scientists believe these sloths were "semi-arboreal." This means they spent some time in trees and some time on the ground. They had a relatively small size and large, hooked claws, which would have helped them climb.
How Big Was Acratocnus?
The different types of Acratocnus could weigh from about 50 to 150 pounds (23 to 68 kg). This made them much bigger than the sloths alive today, like the two-toed and three-toed sloths. Modern tree sloths usually weigh less than 20 pounds (9 kg).
When Did Acratocnus Disappear?
Scientists believe that the Acratocnus species in Puerto Rico and Hispaniola lived until the end of the Pleistocene Ice Age. They likely disappeared by the middle of the Holocene epoch.
Other related sloths, like the Cuban ground sloth Megalocnus rodens, survived even longer, until about 6,600 years ago. The very last known Caribbean sloth, Neocnus comes from Hispaniola, lived until about 5,000 years ago.
Scientists think there were two main reasons for their extinction. One reason could be changes in the climate. Another, more likely reason, is that early humans living in the Caribbean hunted them.
See also
In Spanish: Acratocnus para niños
