Neocnus is an extinct
genus of
ground sloth, whose species ranged across
Cuba and
Hispaniola (
Haiti and
Dominican Republic).
Neocnus would have resembled a typical megalonychid ground sloth, though much smaller, with a longer tail and a broad trunk, as well as lissome limbs and long claws. This sloth was known for having caudal vertebrae that were broad, a trait shared with other ground sloths, indicating that this animal, like the
tamandua of today, likely used its tail to stand upright. The caniniform teeth of the
Neocnus were large and triangular, and its skull was deep and had a large, sagittal crest which, when used with the deep mandible likely allowed strong exertion by the masticatory muscles.