17/08/2025
In Argentina, paleontologists made a remarkable discovery — a fossilized shell of a prehistoric giant armadillo known as a *glyptodon*, an extinct relative of modern armadillos. These massive creatures roamed South America during the Pleistocene epoch, around 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago. The unearthed shell, preserved in astonishing detail, measures roughly the size of a small car, reflecting the glyptodon’s impressive dimensions, which could reach over three meters in length and weigh more than a ton.
Glyptodons were herbivores, protected by thick, dome-shaped shells made of fused bony plates called osteoderms, offering defense against predators like saber-toothed cats. This particular find adds to the understanding of South America’s megafauna and their adaptation to prehistoric environments. Discoveries like this not only shed light on ancient ecosystems but also help scientists study climate shifts and extinction patterns that shaped the continent’s natural history
