Nohochichak
Extinct genus of ground sloths
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nohochichak is an extinct genus of megalonychid ground sloth from the Late Pleistocene (Rancholabrean) of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.
| Nohochichak | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Pilosa |
| Suborder: | Folivora |
| Family: | †Megalonychidae |
| Genus: | †Nohochichak McDonald et al. 2017 |
| Species: | †N. xibalbahkah |
| Binomial name | |
| †Nohochichak xibalbahkah McDonald et al. 2017 | |
Discovery and taxonomy
The only known specimens were discovered in the underwater cave system of Hoyo Negro in Quintana Roo, consisting of a partial skull, mandible and some postcranial remains.[1] It was found to be closer to other Mexican Sloth taxa, like Xibalbaonyx, Meizonyx and Zacatzontli than to the North American Megalonyx.[1]
Description
In life, it is estimated to have been around 987 kg in weight. It probably lived in a dry landscape.[2]
