Bones Of Elephant-Size Sloth Found, USA [NBC6.NET 2006-04-11] CLEWISTON, Fla. -- Prehistoric bones believed to belong to ancient sloths have been discovered by construction crews working in a massive Everglades restoration project.
The plant-eating animals the size of elephants became extinct at least 4,000 years ago.
Just one piece of a jawbone measures two feet long.
Workers with South Florida Water Management District discovered the bones during the construction of a 2000-acre stormwater treatment area in the southeast corner of Hendry County, about 35 miles northwest of Fort Lauderdale.
Crews said they found a large number of massive bones buried deep into a light-colored clay foundation that is more than 10 feet beneath the black soil of the region. The bones of ancient deer, horses and turtles were also discovered.
Archeologists will collect and examine the bones, and then transport them to the University of Florida Museum of Natural History.
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