Fossil osteoderm (bony plate) from a Glyptodon

This is a fossilized osteoderm or bony plate from a Glyptodon, an extinct genus of large, heavily armored mammals related to modern armadillos that lived during the Pleistocene epoch, approximately 2 million to 10,000 years ago. These osteoderms formed a protective shell or carapace that covered the animal's back and sides, providing defense against predators. Glyptodon fossils are particularly valued by paleontological collectors and natural history enthusiasts for their connection to the megafauna of the Ice Age. These distinctive hexagonal plates are popular among fossil collectors who appreciate Pleistocene mammals and the evolutionary history of armadillos and their relatives. Museums and educational institutions also seek these specimens for their educational value in demonstrating prehistoric defensive adaptations.