Could Giant Ground Sloths have been a Good Pack Animal for the Ancient MayansCould the Roman Empire have...
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Could Giant Ground Sloths have been a Good Pack Animal for the Ancient Mayans
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$begingroup$
In my world, the Mayan Empire expanded into the Caribbean and met the relict ground sloths of the Caribbean. In this same world, the Mayan empire saw the use of these creatures as good domestic animal that they could bring to the mainland. With pack animals, the Mayans could build even more amazing structures, and form an even more powerful civilization. They may not even have been dominated by the Spanish. Sadly, there is a problem with this idea. Would the Ground Sloths have been made viable pack animals?
civilization domestication
asked 2 hours ago
Sengiwizard42Sengiwizard42
685
$endgroup$
|
show 2 more comments
$begingroup$
In my world, the Mayan Empire expanded into the Caribbean and met the relict ground sloths of the Caribbean. In this same world, the Mayan empire saw the use of these creatures as good domestic animal that they could bring to the mainland. With pack animals, the Mayans could build even more amazing structures, and form an even more powerful civilization. They may not even have been dominated by the Spanish. Sadly, there is a problem with this idea. Would the Ground Sloths have been made viable pack animals?
civilization domestication
asked 2 hours ago
Sengiwizard42Sengiwizard42
685
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
By pack animal, you mean using them for things like driving carts, right?
$endgroup$
– Renan
2 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
Yes, and carrying things. They could also possibly being mounts for humans, though this isn't required.
$endgroup$
– Sengiwizard42
2 hours ago
3
$begingroup$
@Renan you could just dump packs on them, eg. !pack llama
$endgroup$
– Starfish Prime
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
Not sure if I know enough about the ground sloths to tell if they would be a good fit for domestication. Here's a really well made video about the requirement for domesticating animals with stone-age level tech, done by CGP Grey: youtube.com/watch?v=wOmjnioNulo Might give you a better idea about the feasibility of this concept.
$endgroup$
– abestrange
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
It is possible, but may not be practical. I can't help but recall the sloths from movie "Zootopia".
$endgroup$
– Alexander
1 hour ago
|
show 2 more comments
$begingroup$
In my world, the Mayan Empire expanded into the Caribbean and met the relict ground sloths of the Caribbean. In this same world, the Mayan empire saw the use of these creatures as good domestic animal that they could bring to the mainland. With pack animals, the Mayans could build even more amazing structures, and form an even more powerful civilization. They may not even have been dominated by the Spanish. Sadly, there is a problem with this idea. Would the Ground Sloths have been made viable pack animals?
civilization domestication
asked 2 hours ago
Sengiwizard42Sengiwizard42
685
$endgroup$
In my world, the Mayan Empire expanded into the Caribbean and met the relict ground sloths of the Caribbean. In this same world, the Mayan empire saw the use of these creatures as good domestic animal that they could bring to the mainland. With pack animals, the Mayans could build even more amazing structures, and form an even more powerful civilization. They may not even have been dominated by the Spanish. Sadly, there is a problem with this idea. Would the Ground Sloths have been made viable pack animals?
civilization domestication
civilization domestication
asked 2 hours ago
Sengiwizard42Sengiwizard42
685
asked 2 hours ago
Sengiwizard42Sengiwizard42
685
asked 2 hours ago
Sengiwizard42Sengiwizard42
685
asked 2 hours ago
Sengiwizard42Sengiwizard42
685
asked 2 hours ago
Sengiwizard42Sengiwizard42
685
685
$begingroup$
By pack animal, you mean using them for things like driving carts, right?
$endgroup$
– Renan
2 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
Yes, and carrying things. They could also possibly being mounts for humans, though this isn't required.
$endgroup$
– Sengiwizard42
2 hours ago
3
$begingroup$
@Renan you could just dump packs on them, eg. !pack llama
$endgroup$
– Starfish Prime
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
Not sure if I know enough about the ground sloths to tell if they would be a good fit for domestication. Here's a really well made video about the requirement for domesticating animals with stone-age level tech, done by CGP Grey: youtube.com/watch?v=wOmjnioNulo Might give you a better idea about the feasibility of this concept.
$endgroup$
– abestrange
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
It is possible, but may not be practical. I can't help but recall the sloths from movie "Zootopia".
$endgroup$
– Alexander
1 hour ago
|
show 2 more comments
$begingroup$
By pack animal, you mean using them for things like driving carts, right?
$endgroup$
– Renan
2 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
Yes, and carrying things. They could also possibly being mounts for humans, though this isn't required.
$endgroup$
– Sengiwizard42
2 hours ago
3
$begingroup$
@Renan you could just dump packs on them, eg. !pack llama
$endgroup$
– Starfish Prime
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
Not sure if I know enough about the ground sloths to tell if they would be a good fit for domestication. Here's a really well made video about the requirement for domesticating animals with stone-age level tech, done by CGP Grey: youtube.com/watch?v=wOmjnioNulo Might give you a better idea about the feasibility of this concept.
$endgroup$
– abestrange
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
It is possible, but may not be practical. I can't help but recall the sloths from movie "Zootopia".
$endgroup$
– Alexander
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
By pack animal, you mean using them for things like driving carts, right?
$endgroup$
– Renan
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
By pack animal, you mean using them for things like driving carts, right?
$endgroup$
– Renan
2 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
Yes, and carrying things. They could also possibly being mounts for humans, though this isn't required.
$endgroup$
– Sengiwizard42
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
Yes, and carrying things. They could also possibly being mounts for humans, though this isn't required.
$endgroup$
– Sengiwizard42
2 hours ago
3
3
$begingroup$
@Renan you could just dump packs on them, eg. !pack llama
$endgroup$
– Starfish Prime
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Renan you could just dump packs on them, eg. !pack llama
$endgroup$
– Starfish Prime
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
Not sure if I know enough about the ground sloths to tell if they would be a good fit for domestication. Here's a really well made video about the requirement for domesticating animals with stone-age level tech, done by CGP Grey: youtube.com/watch?v=wOmjnioNulo Might give you a better idea about the feasibility of this concept.
$endgroup$
– abestrange
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
Not sure if I know enough about the ground sloths to tell if they would be a good fit for domestication. Here's a really well made video about the requirement for domesticating animals with stone-age level tech, done by CGP Grey: youtube.com/watch?v=wOmjnioNulo Might give you a better idea about the feasibility of this concept.
$endgroup$
– abestrange
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
It is possible, but may not be practical. I can't help but recall the sloths from movie "Zootopia".
$endgroup$
– Alexander
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
It is possible, but may not be practical. I can't help but recall the sloths from movie "Zootopia".
$endgroup$
– Alexander
1 hour ago
|
show 2 more comments
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Based on assessments of them being slower-paced in motion, having osteoderms, inturned claws on the front paws capable of tearing apart large branches, no incisors, and exclusively vegetarian diet in coproliths, I'd say it'd be possible, but probably no picnic to domesticate such a beast.
We cannot, of course, assess intelligence / intransigence, herd / individuated behaviour easily, so it's equally possible that they might be characterlogically unsuited to domestication; I'd guess though that if the people in question had a significant observational base of the behaviours of this mega-critter, it'd probably be do-able.
answered 1 hour ago
GerardFallaGerardFalla
4,825729
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Sloths are not very social but they are still mammals
This is an extract from a paper on social behaviour between sloth mothers and their young offspring.
Social interactions among sloths are considered to be rare, mainly because these animals are known for their solitary habits. However, some reports represent attempts to understand to a greater extent some of the sloths' social interactions in captivity or in the wild. In this context, a study focused on indirect contact through vocalization between mother and young of Choloepus hoffmanni and Bradypus infuscatus (= Bradypus variegatus) (Montgomery & Sunquist, 1974). It showed that vocalization is quite intense and important to communication in the first 6 months of total infant dependence.
So on one side, based on the knowledge we have from extant species, sloths are not pack animals. However, since they are mammals, they do depend on mom and learn a lot of things from her. If your Mayans find a way to substitute sloth mothers, you could have some type of sloth domestication but very different from that of sheeps, dogs or elephants, perhaps more similar to that of cats
answered 13 mins ago
Chuck RamirezChuck Ramirez
3006
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Im not sure you answered the question here, i think you have misinterpreted the phrase “pack animals”. The phrase is not referring to a pack of animals, such as a wolf pack, it is refering to load-bearing animals, such as donkeys. Essentially, its asking “would giant sloths make good beasts of burden”.
$endgroup$
– Liam Morris
8 mins ago
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
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$begingroup$
Based on assessments of them being slower-paced in motion, having osteoderms, inturned claws on the front paws capable of tearing apart large branches, no incisors, and exclusively vegetarian diet in coproliths, I'd say it'd be possible, but probably no picnic to domesticate such a beast.
We cannot, of course, assess intelligence / intransigence, herd / individuated behaviour easily, so it's equally possible that they might be characterlogically unsuited to domestication; I'd guess though that if the people in question had a significant observational base of the behaviours of this mega-critter, it'd probably be do-able.
answered 1 hour ago
GerardFallaGerardFalla
4,825729
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Based on assessments of them being slower-paced in motion, having osteoderms, inturned claws on the front paws capable of tearing apart large branches, no incisors, and exclusively vegetarian diet in coproliths, I'd say it'd be possible, but probably no picnic to domesticate such a beast.
We cannot, of course, assess intelligence / intransigence, herd / individuated behaviour easily, so it's equally possible that they might be characterlogically unsuited to domestication; I'd guess though that if the people in question had a significant observational base of the behaviours of this mega-critter, it'd probably be do-able.
answered 1 hour ago
GerardFallaGerardFalla
4,825729
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Based on assessments of them being slower-paced in motion, having osteoderms, inturned claws on the front paws capable of tearing apart large branches, no incisors, and exclusively vegetarian diet in coproliths, I'd say it'd be possible, but probably no picnic to domesticate such a beast.
We cannot, of course, assess intelligence / intransigence, herd / individuated behaviour easily, so it's equally possible that they might be characterlogically unsuited to domestication; I'd guess though that if the people in question had a significant observational base of the behaviours of this mega-critter, it'd probably be do-able.
answered 1 hour ago
GerardFallaGerardFalla
4,825729
$endgroup$
Based on assessments of them being slower-paced in motion, having osteoderms, inturned claws on the front paws capable of tearing apart large branches, no incisors, and exclusively vegetarian diet in coproliths, I'd say it'd be possible, but probably no picnic to domesticate such a beast.
We cannot, of course, assess intelligence / intransigence, herd / individuated behaviour easily, so it's equally possible that they might be characterlogically unsuited to domestication; I'd guess though that if the people in question had a significant observational base of the behaviours of this mega-critter, it'd probably be do-able.
answered 1 hour ago
GerardFallaGerardFalla
4,825729
answered 1 hour ago
GerardFallaGerardFalla
4,825729
answered 1 hour ago
GerardFallaGerardFalla
4,825729
answered 1 hour ago
GerardFallaGerardFalla
4,825729
4,825729
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Sloths are not very social but they are still mammals
This is an extract from a paper on social behaviour between sloth mothers and their young offspring.
Social interactions among sloths are considered to be rare, mainly because these animals are known for their solitary habits. However, some reports represent attempts to understand to a greater extent some of the sloths' social interactions in captivity or in the wild. In this context, a study focused on indirect contact through vocalization between mother and young of Choloepus hoffmanni and Bradypus infuscatus (= Bradypus variegatus) (Montgomery & Sunquist, 1974). It showed that vocalization is quite intense and important to communication in the first 6 months of total infant dependence.
So on one side, based on the knowledge we have from extant species, sloths are not pack animals. However, since they are mammals, they do depend on mom and learn a lot of things from her. If your Mayans find a way to substitute sloth mothers, you could have some type of sloth domestication but very different from that of sheeps, dogs or elephants, perhaps more similar to that of cats
answered 13 mins ago
Chuck RamirezChuck Ramirez
3006
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Im not sure you answered the question here, i think you have misinterpreted the phrase “pack animals”. The phrase is not referring to a pack of animals, such as a wolf pack, it is refering to load-bearing animals, such as donkeys. Essentially, its asking “would giant sloths make good beasts of burden”.
$endgroup$
– Liam Morris
8 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Sloths are not very social but they are still mammals
This is an extract from a paper on social behaviour between sloth mothers and their young offspring.
Social interactions among sloths are considered to be rare, mainly because these animals are known for their solitary habits. However, some reports represent attempts to understand to a greater extent some of the sloths' social interactions in captivity or in the wild. In this context, a study focused on indirect contact through vocalization between mother and young of Choloepus hoffmanni and Bradypus infuscatus (= Bradypus variegatus) (Montgomery & Sunquist, 1974). It showed that vocalization is quite intense and important to communication in the first 6 months of total infant dependence.
So on one side, based on the knowledge we have from extant species, sloths are not pack animals. However, since they are mammals, they do depend on mom and learn a lot of things from her. If your Mayans find a way to substitute sloth mothers, you could have some type of sloth domestication but very different from that of sheeps, dogs or elephants, perhaps more similar to that of cats
answered 13 mins ago
Chuck RamirezChuck Ramirez
3006
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Im not sure you answered the question here, i think you have misinterpreted the phrase “pack animals”. The phrase is not referring to a pack of animals, such as a wolf pack, it is refering to load-bearing animals, such as donkeys. Essentially, its asking “would giant sloths make good beasts of burden”.
$endgroup$
– Liam Morris
8 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Sloths are not very social but they are still mammals
This is an extract from a paper on social behaviour between sloth mothers and their young offspring.
Social interactions among sloths are considered to be rare, mainly because these animals are known for their solitary habits. However, some reports represent attempts to understand to a greater extent some of the sloths' social interactions in captivity or in the wild. In this context, a study focused on indirect contact through vocalization between mother and young of Choloepus hoffmanni and Bradypus infuscatus (= Bradypus variegatus) (Montgomery & Sunquist, 1974). It showed that vocalization is quite intense and important to communication in the first 6 months of total infant dependence.
So on one side, based on the knowledge we have from extant species, sloths are not pack animals. However, since they are mammals, they do depend on mom and learn a lot of things from her. If your Mayans find a way to substitute sloth mothers, you could have some type of sloth domestication but very different from that of sheeps, dogs or elephants, perhaps more similar to that of cats
answered 13 mins ago
Chuck RamirezChuck Ramirez
3006
$endgroup$
Sloths are not very social but they are still mammals
This is an extract from a paper on social behaviour between sloth mothers and their young offspring.
Social interactions among sloths are considered to be rare, mainly because these animals are known for their solitary habits. However, some reports represent attempts to understand to a greater extent some of the sloths' social interactions in captivity or in the wild. In this context, a study focused on indirect contact through vocalization between mother and young of Choloepus hoffmanni and Bradypus infuscatus (= Bradypus variegatus) (Montgomery & Sunquist, 1974). It showed that vocalization is quite intense and important to communication in the first 6 months of total infant dependence.
So on one side, based on the knowledge we have from extant species, sloths are not pack animals. However, since they are mammals, they do depend on mom and learn a lot of things from her. If your Mayans find a way to substitute sloth mothers, you could have some type of sloth domestication but very different from that of sheeps, dogs or elephants, perhaps more similar to that of cats
answered 13 mins ago
Chuck RamirezChuck Ramirez
3006
answered 13 mins ago
Chuck RamirezChuck Ramirez
3006
answered 13 mins ago
Chuck RamirezChuck Ramirez
3006
answered 13 mins ago
Chuck RamirezChuck Ramirez
3006
3006
$begingroup$
Im not sure you answered the question here, i think you have misinterpreted the phrase “pack animals”. The phrase is not referring to a pack of animals, such as a wolf pack, it is refering to load-bearing animals, such as donkeys. Essentially, its asking “would giant sloths make good beasts of burden”.
$endgroup$
– Liam Morris
8 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Im not sure you answered the question here, i think you have misinterpreted the phrase “pack animals”. The phrase is not referring to a pack of animals, such as a wolf pack, it is refering to load-bearing animals, such as donkeys. Essentially, its asking “would giant sloths make good beasts of burden”.
$endgroup$
– Liam Morris
8 mins ago
$begingroup$
Im not sure you answered the question here, i think you have misinterpreted the phrase “pack animals”. The phrase is not referring to a pack of animals, such as a wolf pack, it is refering to load-bearing animals, such as donkeys. Essentially, its asking “would giant sloths make good beasts of burden”.
$endgroup$
– Liam Morris
8 mins ago
$begingroup$
Im not sure you answered the question here, i think you have misinterpreted the phrase “pack animals”. The phrase is not referring to a pack of animals, such as a wolf pack, it is refering to load-bearing animals, such as donkeys. Essentially, its asking “would giant sloths make good beasts of burden”.
$endgroup$
– Liam Morris
8 mins ago
add a comment |
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$begingroup$
By pack animal, you mean using them for things like driving carts, right?
$endgroup$
– Renan
2 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
Yes, and carrying things. They could also possibly being mounts for humans, though this isn't required.
$endgroup$
– Sengiwizard42
2 hours ago
3
$begingroup$
@Renan you could just dump packs on them, eg. !pack llama
$endgroup$
– Starfish Prime
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
Not sure if I know enough about the ground sloths to tell if they would be a good fit for domestication. Here's a really well made video about the requirement for domesticating animals with stone-age level tech, done by CGP Grey: youtube.com/watch?v=wOmjnioNulo Might give you a better idea about the feasibility of this concept.
$endgroup$
– abestrange
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
It is possible, but may not be practical. I can't help but recall the sloths from movie "Zootopia".
$endgroup$
– Alexander
1 hour ago