After living millions of years in North America, the giant ground sloth died off between 10,000 and 15,000 years ago, shortly after the arrival of the first humans. These 5-ton beasts were slow-moving and could reach 17 feet. They were like dangerous, giant cows. It’s hard for me to understand why many attribute the ground sloth decline to climate change when tree-dwelling sloths were unaffected and Carribean Island sloths lasted longer – until humans reached those shores.
Recently, 10,000+-year-old footprints preserved in New Mexico appear to show humans tracking a sloth and likely record a hunt. Sadly, I think we have to admit that humans caused the extinction of these majestic beasts.