The Rondônia region in northern Brazil is known for its diverse biocultural landscape. From the dense rainforests of the Amazon basin to the vast savannah landscapes of the Cerrado, this region offers a wide range of habitats for a variety of plant and animal species. The flora is characterized by a variety of tree species such as mahogany, cedar, and Brazil nut trees in the rainforest, as well as grasses and bushes in the Cerrado. The wildlife is equally diverse and includes a wealth of species, including jaguars, tapirs, macaws, and numerous fish species in the rivers. The indigenous peoples of the region, such as the Suruí and the Cinta Larga, have developed a close relationship with nature over centuries and preserve traditional knowledge about the use and protection of the environment. Despite challenges posed by deforestation, land use, and illegal logging, protecting and preserving this biocultural diversity remains crucial for the future of Rondônia and the well-being of its residents.
This is supposed to show a sleeping ground sloth. It's fallen totally exhausted into a dream-filled sleep. It's already clear to me that a ground sloth hardly slept in such a position. This is called artistic freedom! I often sleep in similar position!😜
With their huge claws, these extinct representatives of the South American megafauna were able to dig impressive burrows. A particularly large burrow can be found, for example, in the Brazilian state of Rondonia. It consists of several tunnels with a total of 2,000 feet in length (around 600 meters) and was probably extended over several generations.
In the past, sloths were a very diverse group. There was even a semi-aquatic species in Peru that showed similarities to otters and beavers.
Some cryptozoologists think there may still be live ground sloths, somewhere in the Amazon. Basis for this assumption is a myth of the Carios, according to which a monster (the mapinguari) living in a cave on their tribal territory in the Brazilian rainforest. One may doubt and still dream. I suspect that only well-preserved remains were found in a cave (in fact, ancient fur remains have been discovered) and the rest was done with imagination.
