Hapalops

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Xenarthra

Family: Megatheriidae
Species: H. indifferens
               H. longiceps
               H. latus
               H. cadens
               H. congermanus
               H. gallaicus

Conservation Status: Extinct

Temporal Range: Late Oligocene - Miocene

Hapalops is extinct genus of ground sloth from the late Oligocene of South America. Though related to the giant Megatherium, Hapalops was much smaller, measuring about 1 meter in length. Like most extinct sloths it is categorized as a ground sloth, but it is believed that the smaller size of Hapalops allowed it to engage in some climbing behaviors.

It had a robust body, short skull and long limbs with large, curved claws. When it did visit the ground the animal probably walked on the knuckles of its forelimbs, like gorilla. Hapalops had very few teeth with no incisors, the mandible included only four pairs of teeth.