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GIANT ARMADILLO SACRAL VERTEBRA - Aucilla River - Florida, U.S.A. PLEISTOCENE PERIOD: 1.81 million years - 10,000 years ago From the Pleistocene deposits of the Aucilla River, this magnificent Giant Armadillo sacral vertebra is a SUPER prize specimen for any Pleistocene fossil collection. The species is Holmesina septentrionalis. This well-mineralized vertebra is remarkable in its condition and is a very uncommon find. The bone is so well preserved that it clinks like fine china. The surface is impeccable and shows every minute detail as shown above in the close-up image. Sacral vertebra are the vertebra closest to the pelvis and fully articulate with the pelvis. In some vertebrates, the sacral vertebrae are fuse to the pelvis thereby making up the sacrum. Guaranteed NO REPAIR and NO RESTORATION. This beauty is AS FOUND!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. A VERY RARE FIND AND INTACT - UNIQUE! 5" in length x 2" wide SOLD LM5002 INCLUDES DISPLAY BOX Actual Item - One Only |
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