ForumIAS announcing GS Foundation Program for UPSC CSE 2025-26 from 10th August. Click Here for more information.
Ancient species of giant sloth discovered:
Mexican scientists have discovered the fossilised remains of a previously unknown species of giant sloth that lived 10,000 years ago and died at the bottom of a sinkhole.
Context:
- Mexican scientists have discovered the fossilised remains of a previously unknown species of giant sloth that lived 10,000 years ago and died at the bottom of a sinkhole.
Explanation:
- The remains were found in 2010, but were so deep inside the water-filled sinkhole that researchers were only gradually able to piece them together.
- Scientists have so far hauled up the skull, jawbone, and a mixed bag of vertebrae, ribs, claws and other bones, but the rest of the skeleton remains some 50 metres under water.
- They have named the new species Xibalbaonyx oviceps .
- An initial analysis suggests that the sloth lived between 10,647 and 10,305 years ago, an era when giant creatures of all kinds roamed the earth.
