These Mysterious Tunnels In South America Were Dug By Giant Sloths
November 17, 2021
Researchers have found massive tunnels in South America that are believed to have been excavated by giant sloths.
Photo credit: Heinrich Frank
For many years these huge tunnels scattered around South America have puzzled scientists over their origins.
However, the mysterious tunnels are no product of any known natural geologic process, especially when large claw marks were discovered on the ceilings and walls of the tunnels.
Photo credit: Heinrich Frank
According to a report from Discover Magazine, these tunnels are paleoburrows — underground shelters excavated by extinct paleo-vertebrate megafauna (giant mammals, such as ground sloths) that lived in the prehistoric era.
Photo credit: Amilcar Adamy
Brazilian geologist Heinrich Frank and his team believe that ground sloths are responsible for the large tunnels, some tunnels measuring up to five feet in diameter.
Ground sloths are a diverse group of extinct sloths, in the mammalian superorder Xenarthra. They have been extinct on the mainland of North and South America for 10,000 years or more. At least five genera of ground sloths have been identified in North American fossils; these are examples of successful immigration to the north.
Illustration: Franklin Rodríguez
Frank and his team aren't sure if the extensive caverns were used to escape the climate, predators, or humidity, but told Discover Magazine that all of these explanations seem unlikely, as a much smaller burrow would have suited those purposes just fine.
It could be that several individuals inherited the burrows over generations, and kept adding to the structure to make it enormous, but that's something the researchers will need to confirm with further observations.
Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz
Couple Rescues Prairie Dog From Their Dog's Mouth, Then Decides To Adopt It
Ohio Man Makes Waves With His Fully Functioning Hot Dog Boat
Stunning Footage Captures Moment Mount Lewotobi Erupts, Sending Ash Nearly 7 Miles High
Teacher’s Final Wish: Backpacks For Students In Need Fill The Aisles At Her Funeral
Why Hope Is The Key To A Meaningful Life, Backed By New Research
Judge Waives Parking Fines So Dad Can Keep Supporting Son’s Space Dreams
Every Day, This Golden Retriever Leaps Into The Pig Pen To Play With The Piglets
Dog Saves His Best Friend's Life In Incredible Moment Caught On Video
Newborn Baby Has Sweet Conversation With Dad While Lying On Mom’s Face
Woman Tries To Help Bird, Then This Happened... And We Can't Stop Laughing
Blown Away: Cat Covers Face And Gasps In Adorable Overreaction