While many believed that the Giant Sloth Megatherium lived on a flexible diet, a contradicting new finding suggests that the extinct animal is a vegetarian. Scientists analyzed the collagen in fossil bones of the Giant Sloth and found out that their vegan nature is exclusive. Meaning, never has they tasted nor attempted for meat subsistence.
There were earlier theories that the Giant Sloth Megatherium feasts on smaller animals as well. While their built did not manifest speed like those of full-fledged predators. Many believed that Giant Sloths could crush other animals and scavenge.
Their long claws also led to speculations. The Giant Sloth Megatherium used their claws to burrow on the ground, as discussed earlier here at The Science Times. Sometimes, these tunnels are so complex and very deep. This behavior and special feature led to a conclusion that the Giant Sloth dug to find and feed on subterranean insects.
The enigma of the Giant Sloth Megatherium diet pushed for extensive study by the scientific community. While modern animals' eating habit can be deduced from the shape of their teeth, the same theory does not apply to the peculiar Giant Sloth. This dilemma brought out the new approach where scientists measured the composition of the animal's bone isotopes. Basically, the Giant Sloth Megatherium lived exclusively on plants, given their bone fossils' protein to mineral ratio.
Phys.Org explained that carnivores usually have a higher proportion of protein. On the contrary, herbivores tend to have higher carbohydrates. The researchers then compared the bone isotopes of the Giant Sloth Megatherium to that of modern-day herbivores - the result was a hit.
To fully explain the implication of this finding, scientists can now accurately place the eating habit of the Giant Sloth Megatherium during the prehistoric time. Further, a conclusion can be brought as to what the Giant Sloth's role in the ecosystem was. Megatherium appeals as one of the "giant beasts" who walked alongside the human ancestors prior to their extinction.
