A MONSTROUS 9-foot beast stunned road crews after it was uncovered during a construction dig.
The discovery stopped work in its tracks as crews realized they weren’t just laying concrete, they had stumbled on a prehistoric surprise.
The beast was found during an environmental review tied to Loop 88 in Lubbock, Texas, nearly five hours from Fort Worth.
Texas Department of Transportation officials say the find appears to be the tooth of a giant ground sloth.
Experts believe the animal roamed the area thousands of years ago during the Ice Age.
The massive sloth was likely using one of the region’s playas, or Ice Age-era lakes, as a water source.
The Texas Panhandle is dotted with these playas, which served as vital lifelines for both animals and early humans.
The environmental team at TxDOT was examining the site for traces of human history when they made a more significant discovery, as reported by the Texas Department of Transportation.
“We’ve identified a giant ground sloth thanks to its unique tooth,” stated Chris Ringstaff, who works as a project planner in TxDOT’s environmental affairs division.
Ringstaff mentioned that the team uncovered the bones of several large, ancient animals known as megafauna during the excavation, pointing out that such discoveries are “common in this area.”
“Whether all the bones are giant ground sloth or there are different animals such as mammoth or mastodon, we’re not sure,” he added.
“Palaeontologists will give us positive identification.”
The fossil may belong to the Shasta Ground Sloth, also known as Nothrotheriops shastensis.
It is one of two species known to roam North America. According to the National Park Service, the first fossils of the Shasta Ground Sloth were described in 1905.
These slow-moving giants could grow up to 9 feet tall and weigh around 550 pounds.
They migrated from South America 2.6 million years ago, alongside early ancestors of cats, llamas and foxes.
Scientists say the Shasta Ground Sloth preferred dry woodlands and seasonal wetlands.
We know we’ve found a giant ground sloth by its distinctive tooth. Whether all the bones are giant ground sloth or there are different animals such as mammoth or mastodon, we’re not sure
Chris Ringstaff, project planner with TxDOT’s environmental affairs division
That habitat matches Ice Age conditions on the South Plains, where researchers from the Lubbock Lake Landmark have studied ancient life for decades.
While some sloth remains have been found mummified in New Mexico caves, most remains are fossilized bone.
Now, palaeontologists from the Museum of Texas Tech University are stepping in to help identify and preserve the remains.
They will also be searching the site for any signs of human activity, which would be a first for a TxDOT dig.
“If the site involves humans, we have to address road construction impacts under state and federal law,” Ringstaff said. “If the site has no artifacts and dates to a time well before humans, TxDOT will recommend no further work, and the project can proceed to construction.”
The discovery adds to the growing list of Ice Age megafauna unearthed across Texas.
“Excavation is one of many steps TxDOT can take prior to road construction to ensure that Texas history is preserved,” said Rebekah Dobrasko, the Cultural Resources Section Director of the Texas Association of Museums.
Earlier this year, TxDOT staff and consulting archaeologists excavated bones and collected geologic and sediment samples for detailed screening.
Officials say the sloth’s remains will be studied and possibly put on display.
Luckily, the archaeological discovery will not delay construction work if any further excavation is needed.
“We’re here to get the road built,” Ringstaff said. “But who doesn’t love digging up big ol’ animals?
