Doedicurus

extinct · armor · South America · mega-mammal

Walking tank of ice age. Doedicurus was one of the largest glyptodonts ever, weighing about 1,400 kilograms (3,100 pounds), roughly as heavy as a car. Its entire body was covered in thick, heavy armor and a hard shell-like carapace to protect it from danger.

Deadly tail club. Its name means 'pestle tail' because its tail ended in a huge spiked club that could weigh 40 to 65 kilograms. It could swing this club at speeds of 11 meters per second (about 25 miles per hour) to fight off predators or battle other Doedicurus.

Related to modern animals. Doedicurus belonged to a family that still exists today: glyptodonts were related to modern armadillos and were also cousins with sloths and anteaters in a group called Xenarthra.

Could stand up tall. Though Doedicurus normally walked on all four legs like most armadillos, scientists think its massive size may have allowed it to stand up on its hind legs, similar to how its relatives do today.