Prehistoric life
Glyptodonts were superficially similar to armadillos, but much larger, weighing almost as much as a car. They were covered in a rigid armour, which could be up to 5cm thick. Fossil scutes or scales that make up the glyptodont's armoured shell are common in the fossil record. Glyptodonts originated in South America and spread northwards as far as southern North America. They became extinct 10,000 years ago at the end of the last ice age.
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Big cat attack
A heavily armoured glyptodont was killed by a big cat - but which one?
A heavily armoured glyptodont was killed by a big cat - but which one?
Out clubbing
An ousted sabretooth pride male has to face some well-armed Doedicurus alone.
An ousted sabretooth pride male has to face some well-armed Doedicurus alone.
Unusual creatures
The isolated fauna of Pleistocene South America developed unique oddities.
The isolated fauna of Pleistocene South America developed unique oddities.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Discover the other animals and plants that lived during the following geological time periods.
Ice ageGlyptodonts are an extinct family of large, heavily armored cingulate xenarthras related to the extinct pampatheres and modern armadillos.
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