Key Information
Josephoartigasia
| Species | Josephoartigasia magna, Josephoartigasia monesi |
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Length | Possibly up to 8 ft 7 in |
| Weight | 1,060 to 1,100 lb |
| Timescale | Late Pliocene to Early Pleistocene |
| Classification | Mammalia > Rodenta > Dinomyidae |
Learning Point
- Discovered in 1966, the Josephoartigasia is currently the largest known rodent, which could have been over 8 ft long, and weight over 1,000 lb. It was a rodent capable of a very powerful bite, but as only the skull is known, there is a lot unknown about this species of animal.
Project
- Draw a picture of a group of Josephoartigasia eating.
- Overview
- X-Ray
Location
| Confirmed | Uruguay, South America |
Fun Facts
- The skull is 1 feet 9 inches long, making it as big as a cow.
- It might have had a bite that was comparable to large predators.
- Two species are known, but information on them is very limited.
Past Lessons
| 113 | October 9, 2023 | (North America) |