Glyptodont Tail Spike, Glyptotherium Floridanum, Pleistocene

This is an armored tail scute of the extinct Glyptodont, which was a giant armadillo-type animal about the size of a Volkswagon Beetle. It was covered in these thick, hard, scutes to protect it from predators. These once roamed Florida during the late Pliocene and Pleistocene periods (approx. 11,000 to 5,000,000 years ago). This specimen was recovered from the Peace River (Florida, Bone Valley formation, Hawthorn Group).

The specimen offered here is a very rare tail spike scute. These are very rare and this is the only one I have ever found in almost 15 years of fossil-hunting in Bone Valley. For comparison, I have found about 20 of the more common flat carapace scutes. This piece measures approx. 2-inches across (50mm) and is in very good condition with no repairs.

Refer to the photo. The black centimeter cube is shown for scale and is not included. You are purchasing the specimen shown. Your purchase will include an ID label with locality info.