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GIANT ARMADILLO (H. FLORIDANUS) ARMOR PLATE SET - Aucilla River - North Florida, U.S.A. LATE PLIOCENE PERIOD: 3.2 - 1.8 million years ago From the Late Pliocene deposits of the Aucilla River in Florida, this is a magnificent set of two armor plates (scutes or osteoderms) of the extinct Giant Armadillo Holmesina floridanus. This set of two plates were found together and display the different types of armor that made up the massive tank-like shell of this strange beast of the last Ice Age in Florida. The longer plate made up the lateral region of the animal's carapace and was designed to interlock with other similar overlapping osteoderms thereby creating a shell of slightly moveable armor. The smaller plate was from an immoveable region of the carapace. Both possess an immaculate state of preservation and fine rich color from the river tannins. These plates are all completely intact and without damage. Guaranteed NO REPAIR and NO RESTORATION. An affordable set of associated uncommonly seen fossil remains offering a unique and educational specimen for your collection.In North America, there are two species of Holmesina that are known with both based on Florida finds. The smaller animal is named, H. floridanus and lived during the late Pliocene on into the early Pleistocene. Floridanus' larger cousin at more than twice its size, H. septentrionalis, ranged from the middle to late Pleistocene. At over 600 pounds and exceeding 6 feet in length, the Giant Armadillo must have been one heavy land tank of an animal. It is believed these creatures spread to Florida during the Pleistocene from their original domain in South America. It is still a mystery as to what they ate. Modern armadillos eat insects but to sustain 600 pounds of body mass would have required some other type of food source. About 9800 years ago, a dramatic shift in the climate caused their extinction in Florida. UNUSUAL, LESS COMMON SPECIES - PERFECT PRESERVATION IN THIS PLIOCENE ERA ARMOR SET! 2.6" and 1.25" long SOLD LM5-004 INCLUDES DISPLAY BOX Actual Item - One Only |
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