These Are Not Tortoises
We can understand why you assumed that glyptodons were related to turtles or tortoises. However, the truth is that they are not. They indeed share certain features with tortoises, especially the big shell on their backs. Glyptodons also could bring their feet in and out of the shells but could not retract the head completely. They were not amphibians or lizards either. What are they?
These Are Not Tortoises
What Are Glyptodons?
A glyptodon refers to a huge creature that used to live in South America. It would be a mistake to refer to them as tortoises as they are closer to prehistoric armadillos. These huge creatures were armed with huge scaly shells and large claws. Some varieties had a spiked tail that looked like a mace. They were as big as a small car. The one Juan found had unique features that fascinated scientists.
What Are Glyptodons?
