Shepard Jr., Glenn "Segamai: Survival of the Pleistocene Ground Sloth?," Biological and Social Assessments of the Cordillera de Vilcabamba, Peru (2001), pp. 172-173

Segamai is described as being an animal about the size of a cow, that can walk on all fours or erect. It is described as having matted fur and a snout similar to that of the giant anteater. It is said to reside in caves and remote forests of the foothills and cloud forest, where it eats the pith of palms and Cyclanthaceae. The name segamai means 'Oenocarpus fibers,' referring to the dark, matted hair of the creature which is said to be like the fibers surrounding the leaf stems of the palm Oenocarpus. As recently as twenty-five years ago, a man claims to have seen the creature from a distance. The Matsigenka say segamai exists to this day in some locations. The Matsigenka are deathly afraid of segamai. It is said to be highly aggressive, emits a bloodcurdling roar, is impervious to weapons, and emanates a strong odor or supernatural force that dazes, stupefies or renders unconscious those who come near it.

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