What are the main characteristics of Xenarthra?

What are the main characteristics of Xenarthra?

The Xenarthra bear several unique anatomic traits such as additional (xenarthrous) joints of lumbar vertebrae; fusion of the ischium to the anterior caudal vertebrae; a secondary scapular spine; extensive retia mirabile in the limbs; paired postrenal venae cavae; and ossified sternal ribs.

Where are Xenarthrans found?

Central and South America
Habitat. Xenarthrans are found in most habitats of Central and South America. The living species of sloth are the most restricted, both genera living mainly in the lowland tropical rainforests and two-toed sloths inhabiting cloud forests to an altitude of about 6,560 ft (2,000 m).

Are armadillos related to sloths?

Sloths are xenarthrans – their closest relatives include anteaters and armadillos. And, among other things, large, curved claws and powerful forelimbs for digging are common xenarthran traits.

Are anteaters and armadillos the same thing?

There are three groups of animals within the order Xenarthra: Sloths, anteaters and armadillos. The armadillos are more distant relatives to these animals, while sloths and anteaters are fairly closely related. Armadillos belong to Order Cingulata; both sloths and anteaters belong to Order Pilosa (“hairy”).

Are armadillos Xenarthra?

Xenarthra (/zɛˈnɑːrθrə/; from Ancient Greek ξένος, xénos, “foreign, alien” + ἄρθρον, árthron, “joint”) is a major clade of placental mammals native to the Americas. There are 31 living species: the anteaters, tree sloths, and armadillos. Extinct xenarthrans include the glyptodonts, pampatheres and ground sloths.

What animals are in the Xenarthra family?

xenarthran, (magnorder Xenarthra), an ancient lineage of mammals comprising the armadillos (order Cingulata) and the sloths and anteaters (order Pilosa).

Do armadillos lay eggs?

Nine-banded armadillos always give birth to four identical young — the only mammal known to do so. All four young develop from the same egg — and they even share the same placenta. Some female armadillos being used for research have given birth to young long after they were captured.

Are armadillos reptiles?

Are they a reptile or mammal? The armadillo’s armored appearance makes it look reptilian, but this almost hairless animal is a mammal. Armadillos sport fine tracts of hair, warm blood, give live birth, and feed their young milk.

What animals look like armadillos?

The Chinese pangolin is a scale-covered mammal that resembles an armadillo in appearance and an anteater in behavior, though it is more closely related to bears and cats than anteaters.

Are armadillos babies?

Baby armadillos are called pups. Nine-banded armadillos, the only species found in the United States, almost always give birth to four identical quadruplets that develop from the same egg. Mothers dig burrows to raise their young, with locations chosen carefully to keep the pups well protected.

Is Xenarthra extinct?

Extinct xenarthrans include the glyptodonts, pampatheres and ground sloths. Xenarthrans originated in South America during the Paleocene about 59 million years ago. They evolved and diversified extensively in South America during the continent’s long period of isolation in the early to mid Cenozoic Era.

What’s the difference between a pangolin and armadillo?

– Armadillos are generally larger than pangolins and have long tails and short limbs. They have tiny, pointed eyes and long, tube-shaped snouts. Pangolins weight about 3.5 lbs to 73 lbs and they can grow up to four feet long. The giant ground pangolin is the largest of their living species.

How many species of Xenarthra are there in the world?

There are 31 living species: the anteaters, tree sloths, and armadillos. Extinct xenarthrans are the glyptodonts, the ground sloths, and the aquatic sloths. Xenarthrans originated in South America during the Paleocene about 59 million years ago.

What kind of animal is the xenarthran anteater?

Xenarthran. Xenarthran, (magnorder Xenarthra), an ancient lineage of mammals comprising the armadillos (order Cingulata) and the sloths and anteaters (order Pilosa). The namesake feature shared by all members of Xenarthra is seen in the lower backbone. The lumbar vertebrae are “xenarthrous”; that is, they have extra contacts (joints,…

How old is the Xenarthra anteater and sloth?

Xenarthra is approximately 100 million years old and includes armadillos, anteaters, and sloths. Xenarthrans share unique features including supplementary intervertebral articulations, internal testes, and low metabolic rates.

How many toes does a Xenarthra have on its feet?

The hind feet of xenarthrans have four toes; the forefeet have either two or three toes. The forefeet of xenarthrans have large claws and are modified for either climbing or digging.