What is Known about the Giant Sloth And Mastodon Fossils Dating Back at Least 10,000 Years in Costa Rica

In February 2026, significant fossils of a giant sloth and a mastodon (Cuvieronius), estimated to be 10,000 to 40,000 years old, were discovered near a river in Cartago, Costa Rica. This find includes 49 pieces—such as a 1.60m tusk and vertebrae—considered one of the country’s most relevant ecades. on and identification.

The Animals:

• Giant Sloth: Likely Eremotherium or similar megafauna, with some specimens standing up to 6 meters tall and weighing several tons. Reports suggest finding part of the skeleton with its “armor” (osteoderms) intact.
  • Mastodon: Identified as Cuvieronius, a type of mastodon related to elephants, which weighed around 3.5 tons, as described in this YouTube video.

• Significance: Preliminary analysis indicates these animals lived during the late Pleistocene, providing crucial evidence of megafauna in Central America.
• Next Steps: The fossils will be studied and eventually exhibited in the National Museum of Costa Rica