Ocnotherium

Ocnotherium is an extinct genus of ground sloth known from the Late Pleistocene of Brazil, belonging to the family Mylodontidae, containing the species Ocnotherium giganteum. It is a member of the subfamily Mylodontinae, but its relationship to other members of that subfamily are uncertain.^[1] It had osteoderms embedded within its skin, like some other mylodontids.^[2]

Ocnotherium Temporal range: Late Pleistocene PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Pilosa
Family:	†Mylodontidae
Subfamily:	†Mylodontinae
Genus:	†Ocnotherium Lund, 1842
Type species
Ocnotherium giganteum (Lund, 1839)

Palaeobiology

O. giganteum was likely a mixed feeder,^[3] and may have been adapted to digging.^[4]

Palaeopathology

A number of O. giganteum individuals are known to exhibit pathologies, including Schmorl's node in the vertebrae, osteochondritis dissecans in the phalanges, and osteoarthritis in the humerus. Many specimens also exhibit spondyloarthropathy and calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease.^[5]