Description

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Giant Armadillo Calcaneum Holmesina floridanus early
Irvingtonian, late Blancan, late Pliocene  FL
2 3/8″  tall  $35 order f1516
COMMENTS: This fossil is in perfect condition.

Armadillo

Holmesina is an extinct group of armadillo-like creatures. They were much larger than any modern armadillo. They could reach a length of 2 meters and a weight of 500 lbs. Yet, the modern giant armadillo does not attain more than 119 lbs. They traveled north in the faunal interchange and they adapted well to North America. Therefore, their fossils can be found from Brazil to the United States, mostly found in Texas and Florida.

In addition, Pampatheres are believed to have attained a weight of up to 440 lb. Like three-banded armadillos their armored shell was given some flexibility by three movable lateral bands of scutes. Which allowed them to move more easily. Furthermore, the bony plates in the skin comprising the armor  were covered by a single keratinized scute.

Their masticatory musculature was more powerful and more adapted for transverse movements than that of armadillos. This lead to the conclusion that much of their diet was coarse vegetation. They are thought to have been primarily grazers.  As a result, the variation between species in the expression of adaptations for grinding coarse vegetation correlates with the aridity of their habitat.