Skeleton of a giant sloth in the National History Museum te Londen.

Darwin was afraid that the Frenchman d'Orbigny had already found all fine fossils, for this explorer had roamed the pampas for six years. But on August 22, 1832 Darwin discovered bones of an extinct giant animal when he inspected the low cliffs of Punta Alta (Argentina) near the little town Bahia Blanca. The next day he found a skull. The following days he was busy 'packing up the prizes'. A year later he was back on the same spot and then he found the typical tooth of a ground sloth: Megatherium. He also collected armour plates of a giant armadillo, which ate ants and which had the posture of a rhinoceros. Later on he heard that he had found parts of six different species, among others the Taxodon, a kind of rodent with the size of an elephant. He also found bones of a beast which he thought to be a camel-like llama, but which turned out to be a tapir: Macrauchenia. Bells were ringing in Darwin's head because it seemed that giant (now extinct) animals had been living in South America in the past, which had smaller relatives populating the same continent nowadays.

This is the restoration of a giant sloth and a giant armadillo. The crew was not happy when Darwin loaded his many crates on deck of the small Beagle, but with his natural charm he succeeded in keeping the atmosphere pleasant. Meanwhile he asked himself what the relation was between these giant animals and their  modest, still living relatives. Why and how had they died out? He didn't believe in the Flood. He did understand that species could become rare and he could also imagine them becoming extinct. From this fruitful place on he travelled over land to Rio de Janeiro, 400 miles. During this trip he came in touch with general De Rosas, a rebel leader, who gave him a pass with which he could continue his journey. He lived for weeks from the animals he was shooting. Know more? Giant sloth

Darwin 14

Back

Stop

Next