| Peltephilus | |
|---|---|
| |
| An artist's illustration of Peltephilus ferox | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Superorder: | Xenarthra |
| Order: | Cingulata |
| Family: | Chlamyphoridae |
| Genus: | †Peltephilus |
| Species: | †P. ferox |
| Binomial name | |
| †Peltephilus ferox | |
Peltephilus or horned armadillo is a genus of dog-sized, armadillos which first inhabited Argentina during the Oligocene epoch, and became extinct in 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.
Taxonomy[]
Distribution[]
In popular culture[]
Peltephilus appears as a Glacier Park animal in Jurassic Park Builder.
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