The glyptodon is an extinct mammal, distantly related to modern armadillos.
It lived during the Pliocene and Pleistocene Epochs, which took place 5.3 million to just
under 12 thousand years ago.
That’s quite a long time to be on planet earth, and they didn’t go extinct that long
ago either.
They disappeared right around the time of the ice age, but the change in climate on
planet earth wasn’t the only reason glyptodons are no longer with us.
Glyptodon lived at the same time as early humans, and definitely interacted with them.
It is believed that the glyptodon went extinct because they were hunted by humans.
But what if the glyptodont didn’t go extinct, and managed to live on until modern day.
How would it have changed the ecosystems, environment and human civilization?
That’s what we’re going to talk about, right now on life’s biggest questions.
Hello and welcome back to life’s biggest questions.
I’m charlotte dobre.
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Darwin is known for finding the first glyptodont fossils, but they were first mentioned in
Europe in 1823 in Cuvier’s Ossemens Fossiles.
Like its armadillo cousins, the glyptodon was encased in a hard, thick, protective armor.
They were pretty large, and could grow to be up to 3 meters or 11 feet long, 4.9 feet
high and weighed up to a ton, which is about as much as a car.
And it sort of had the build of a car too, a voltswagon beatle specifically.
Glyptodons also had an armoured tail with spikes on it that it may have used to club
predators or other glyptodons.
But glyptodons weren’t predators; they were herbivores and ate mostly plants and insects.
They also had stubby, turtle like legs, which meant that they couldn’t travel very fast.
But the glyptodont didn’t really need to be able to get around quickly to get away
from predators, it had virtually no predators because its armour was virtually impenetrable.
And it’s strong tail was strong enough that it could shatter the backs of other glyptodons.
BUT, If you happened to flip a glyptodon onto its back, it would have a lot of trouble getting
up, and its soft underbelly would have been exposed.
So maybe there were predators that figured that out, mainly, humans.
Humans were likely the main cause for the glyptodon’s extinction.
It was likely hunted for its meat, as well as its shell.
There is evidence to suggest that South American settlers used the glyptodon’s shell as a
shelter.
Pun very much intended.
Fossils for the glyptodon have been found all over north and south America.
From southern brazil to Uraguay to argentina, the glyptodont had a large habitat.
So, if the glyptodon hadn’t gone extinct, they would have continued to be hunted by
both early and modern humans.
Glyptodons would have had to have been quite numerous to not go extinct if they were being
constantly hunted by humans.
Glyptodon meat as well as glyptodon biproducts would be readily available.
Its very possible that their shells, if they were big enough, could have been used as a
small but durable house.
They were only 4.5 feet tall, but if they hadn’t gone extinct Its likely we would
have seen evidence of entire aboriginal communities where the huts were glyptodon shells.
Imagine it, rows upon rows, towns and cities made up entirely of glyptodon shells.
If you managed to get past a mama glyptodont, which would have been very difficult, The
shells of young glyptodons would have been used for bowls and pottery.
We would have seen evidence of many different south American cultures having an obsession
with the them.
Glyptodon jewelry, artwork, rituals, songs.
Modern environmentalists and animal rights activists would not have allowed the glyptodon
to go extinct, it would have been protected.
There would be wildlife reserves where the glyptodon could roam free, and maybe even
safaris that would allow tourists to observe them.
In terms of the environment and ecosystems, it’s likely that the glyptodon wouldn’t
have changed much.
It was a herbivore, after all, and in south America, particularly the amazon, there are
plenty of plants to go around.
Sadly, like many other animals, humans hunted the glyptodont to the point of extinction.
Without our reckless disregard of the well-being of earth’s creatures, giants like the glyptodont
would still exist today.
For now, I’m charlotte dobre and you’ve been watching life’s biggest questions.
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Haven da baller – do a video that’s titled – what if the asteroid that hit the dinosaurs
missed.
that’s a great idea for a video, thanks haven
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That is a very good question…but probably not much would happen.
Blank bank – what if George Washington was still alive.
I’m definitely down to answer that question.
For now, you should check out our video, what if George Washington was assassinated, clickable
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Comando – if anyone actually sees, I just wanted to let you know that I hope you do
really well in life and follow your dreams.
My dreams are to do well on youtube.
thanks commando, I hope all your dreams come true too.
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I definitely liked because I definitely agree.