Extinct Ground Sloths (Paramylodon harlani, Nothrotheriops shastensis, and Megalonyx jeffersoni) Fact Sheet: Diseases & Pathology

Abnormalities in fossils bones may show evidence of arthritis, cancer, nutritional stress, fractures and more.

• A skeleton of Megatherium with pathologically fused teeth was once mistakenly thought to be a new species.
• Some examples of trauma and infections have been noted.
• Fusion of digits has been noted, but these are not necessarily arthritic changes and are thought to be evolutionary trends.

McDonald (1989)