{"product_id":"megalonyx-ground-sloth-skull-cast-replica-2-adult-skull","title":"Megalonyx Ground Sloth skull cast replica #2 Adult skull","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMegalonyx jeffersonii\u003cbr\u003eJefferson’s Ground Sloth\u003cbr\u003eWest Virginia State Fossil\u003cbr\u003eAdult Skull Cast Replica\u003cbr\u003eMeasurements:  15\" l x 9\" w x 10.5\" h\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis Megalonyx jeffersonii ground sloth adult skull is a high-quality cast replica molded from original fossils discovered in Florida.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe skull and jaw are cast separately, allowing the jaw to remain movable rather than permanently attached.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlease call (314) 556-0650 or email us for additional photos or information.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003eClassification\u003cbr\u003eKingdom: Animalia\u003cbr\u003ePhylum: Chordata\u003cbr\u003eClass: Mammalia\u003cbr\u003eSuperorder: Xenarthra\u003cbr\u003eOrder: Pilosa\u003cbr\u003eFamily: Megalonychidae (Gervais, 1855)\u003cbr\u003eSubfamily: Megalonychinae\u003cbr\u003eGenus: Megalonyx (Jefferson, 1799)\u003cbr\u003eSpecies within the genus include:\u003cbr\u003eMegalonyx matthisi (Hirschfeld \u0026amp; Webb, 1963)\u003cbr\u003eMegalonyx wheatleyi (Cope, 1871)\u003cbr\u003eMegalonyx leptostomus (Cope, 1893)\u003cbr\u003eMegalonyx jeffersonii (Desmarest, 1822)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn 1797, saltpeter miners discovered large fossil bones in a cave in Monroe County, Virginia (now West Virginia) and sent them to Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson initially believed the bones belonged to a giant prehistoric cat.\u003cbr\u003eIn 1799, anatomist Caspar Wistar reexamined the fossils and identified them as belonging to an extinct giant ground sloth, naming the genus Megalonyx in honor of Jefferson.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRadiocarbon dating has since shown that these animals lived more than 38,000 years ago.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMegalonyx jeffersonii was designated the official State Fossil of West Virginia in March 2008.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAdditional Information\u003cbr\u003eSkull and jaw cast separately\u003cbr\u003eJaw remains movable\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003eColor may vary\u003cbr\u003eCustom painting available\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis item is not kept in stock. Please inquire about production time.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePlease call (314) 556-0650 or\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"mailto:taylormadefossils@yahoo.com\"\u003eemail us\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efor more pictures or information\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BigfootCasts.com","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45268349092031,"sku":null,"price":499.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0041\/6635\/2996\/files\/B5LPG7EK55TKAYDLQQL3CV5H.jpg?v=1773204727","url":"https:\/\/bigfootcasts.com\/products\/megalonyx-ground-sloth-skull-cast-replica-2-adult-skull","provider":"BigfootCasts.com ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}