Order Xenarthra belongs to the class
Mammalia (
mammals), subclass
Eutheria (
placentals).
The order was formerly known only as
Edentata ("without teeth"), but a new synonym was created since some species actually have molars, albeit single-rooted and lacking an
enamel. Both names are used now. The order currently includes:
Some of the extinct
giant ground sloths were larger than elephants.
All animals of this order live on the Americas, the
armadillo being the only one that is still alive that has successfully crossed the Central American bridge to North America. The armadillos are spreading further north rapidly.
Most Xenarthrans are either
insectivores or
herbivores, and sizes vary from small to medium. Most have five toes on their forefeet, with two or three long, sharp claws.
References:
-
Animal Diversity Web (presented by
the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology)
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu
-
The Sloth Underground Website (formerly: The Official SLOTH WebSite)
http://www.slothwerks.com/
this was a nodeshell rescue.