Holmesina is a genus of
pampathere, an
extinct group of
armadillo-like creatures that were distantly related to
extant armadillos. Like armadillos, and unlike the other extinct branch of
Cingulata, the
glyptodonts, the shell was made up of flexible plates which allowed the animal to move more easily.
Holmesina species were
herbivores that grazed on coarse vegetation; armadillos are mostly
insectivorous or
omnivorous.
Holmesina individuals were much larger than any modern armadillo: They could reach a length of 2 m, and a weight of 227 kg (500 lbs), while the modern
giant armadillo does not attain more than 54 kg (119 lbs).
