Peltephilus

Taxobox
name = "Peltephilus"


image_width = 270px
fossil_range = Oligocene to Miocene
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
superordo = Xenarthra
ordo = Cingulata
familia = Dasypodidae
genus = "Peltephilus"
species = "P. ferox"

"Peltephilus ferox", the Horned Armadillo, was a species of dog-sized, armadillo-like xenarthran mammal which first inhabited Argentina during the Oligocene epoch, and became extinct sometime during the Miocene epoch. Notably, the scutes on its head were so developed that they formed horns protecting its eyes. Aside from the horned gophers of North America, it is the only known fossorial horned mammal.

Although it had traditionally been perceived as a carnivore because of its large, triangular-shaped teeth, Vizcaino and Farina argued in 1997 that "Peltephilus" was a herbivore.

References

*Vizcaino, S. F., & R. A. Farina (1997), Diet and locomotion of the armadillo "Peltephilus": a new view. "Lethaia", 30, 79-86.