Glyptotherium

Taxobox
name = North American Glyptodon

---

image_caption=Close-up of a nearly complete "Glyptotherium texanum" shell.
status = Fossil
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Xenarthra
familia = Glyptodontidae
genus = "Glyptotherium"
species = "G. texanum"
binomial = "Glyptotherium texanum" "Glyptotherium texanum" ("Carved Beast of Texas"), also known as the "North American Glyptodon," is an extinct mammal related to the armadillo. It is considered megafauna, of which most have become extinct. The North American Glyptodon may have been wiped out by climate change or human interference. "G. texanum" went extinct around 12,000 years ago. [http://www.blm.gov/heritage/cratrisk/Proj2002/AZ/ACECfossil/Graham_Mus3/pages/5Glypshell_gif.htm]

Like its living relative, the armadillo, the North American Glyptodon had a shell. The North American Glyptodon's shell covered its entire body, similar to a turtle. However, unlike a turtle's shell, the North American Glyptodon's shell was made up of hundreds of small six-sided scales. The North American Glyptodon grew up to six feet long and its armor weighed up to a ton.

The North American Glyptodon thrived in tropical and subtropical regions of Florida, South Carolina, and Texas. There is no direct evidence of humans preying on the North American Glyptodon.

See also

*Glyptodon

References

*cite web | title= AMNH Bestiary | url = http://www.amnh.org/science/biodiversity/extinction/Resources/Bestiary/Xenarthra.html | accessdate = 2006-06-18