Around 70 million years ago in what is now Brazil, Armadillosuchus lived as one of the most unusual crocodylomorphs of the Late Cretaceous. Its defining trait was a protective coat of hexagonal osteoderms linked by flexible ligaments—strong armor that shielded the body but did not allow it to roll into a ball like modern armadillos. A new Armadillosuchus 3D model is now available in 3D Dinopedia.

Although it looked intimidating, Armadillosuchus was relatively small (about 2 meters long) and may have been an omnivore that relied heavily on plant material, using powerful jaws and prominent canine-like teeth to break tough roots and stems. Its long legs and sharp claws also suggest it may have dug burrows for shelter. Armadillosuchus highlights how diverse crocodylomorphs could be, occupying ecological roles far beyond the modern crocodile lifestyle.