Massive Tunnels That Were Dug By A Giant Sloth That Lived 10,000 Years Ago

Most of us know massive tunnels were built by humans. But, this massive tunnel were which scientists think were dug by a giant sloth, discovered in Brazil. Giant mamals lived 10,000 years ago. This gigantic tunnels called “palaeoburrows”.These enormous tunnels can measure up to 2,000 feet long and over six feet tall. These caves was relatively unknown until a Brazilian geologist noticed something while driving down the highway.

Despite its enormous claws, M. americanum was a vegetarian. This has been confirmed through chemical analysis of the animal's teeth which shed light on what it ate during life. And it could have also meant that it was an easier target for – humans. Yes, we do know they overlapped with humans in time as Megatherium fossils have been found with cut marks on them. This suggests that these giant sloths were on the menu thousands of years ago, which could have contributed to their extinction. Model of a Megatherium at Crystal Palace, London. So far, Frank and other researchers haven't found fossils inside the caves, nor organic material or mineral deposits that could help more precisely date the exact creation of the burrows. But the quest continues. Looking into a large paleoburrow in Brazil. Image credit: Heinrich Frank