Glyptodon clavipes

The Pleistocene armadillo with a car-sized shell and a lethal tail

Pavel.Riha.CB

One of the most impressive animals that ever lived was Glyptodon clavipes, a species of glyptodont that belonged to the same group as modern armadillos. It was about the size of a car, with a thick shell of bony plates that covered its body and head, protecting it from predators and harsh weather. It also had a long tail with a club-like end that could be used as a weapon. Its teeth were flat and suited for grinding plants like grasses and cacti.

They were social animals living in groups and communicating with sounds. It went extinct along with many other megafaunas at the end of the last ice age, possibly due to climate change and human hunting.

Distribution

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Argentina
Official estimate
EX
Extinct 1,000 years ago
Brazil
Official estimate
EX
Extinct 1,000 years ago
Guatemala
Official estimate
EX
Extinct 1,000 years ago
Paraguay
Official estimate
EX
Extinct 1,000 years ago
Uruguay
Official estimate
EX
Extinct 1,000 years ago

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Terrestrial / Aquatic

Altricial / Precocial

Polygamous / Monogamous

Dimorphic / Monomorphic (size)

Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd

Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

Migratory: Yes / No

Domesticated: Yes / No

Dangerous: Yes / No