title: Glyptodon
text: Glyptodon is part of the placental group of mammals known as Xenarthra. This order of mammals includes anteaters, tree sloths, extinct ground sloths, extinct pampatheres, and armadillos.
  
  Glyptodon came from South America. A related genus, Glyptotherium,  first appeared in the south-west of the modern USA about 2.5 million years ago as a result of the Great American Interchange.
  
  These herbivores (plant-eaters) would not have been vulnerable to the Sparassodont carnivores of the day. The native human population in their range is believed to have hunted them and used the shells for shelter in bad weather.
  
  References 
  
   David Lambert and the Diagram Group. 1985. The field guide to prehistoric life. New York: Facts on File Publications.
  
  Gallery 
  
  Xenarthrans
  Fossils
  Megafauna
  Mammals of South America