5. An armadillo the size of an automobile.
The glyptodon, an armadillo-like animal that was as large as a car, lived in North and South America during the ice age. It had a powerful tail, and an armored shell made of a thousand bony plates. While this herbivore mostly lived a peacefully, when threatened, its powerful tail could deliver a bone-crushing blow, and its shell offered a durable defense. Shortly after the last ice age, climate change and aggressive hunting by humans led to its demise.

6. A sizeable sloth.
You are probably familiar with the today’s sloths, like the Zoo’s very own Carob, but did you know their ancient ancestor, Megatherium was a giant that stood nearly 12 feet tall and weighed more than four tons? Unlike today’s sloth which live in trees, Megatherium lived on the ground in the South American jungle. Like its modern-day counterparts, however, Megatherium probably moved slowly. However, it more than outweighed any possible prehistoric predators!

7. The clan of the cave bear.
Standing 11 feet tall and weighing up to 2,200 pounds, the Ice Age cave bear, or Ursus spelaeus, must have struck fear into the hearts of early humans. However, these ancient animals were more teddy bears than terrors. Scientists think they were herbivores and preferred plants over people. Thousands of their fossils have been found in caves across the European continent – evidence that suggests they spent more time in caves than modern-day bears, who most often rely on caves for their long winter hibernation naps).

8. Pigs from hell.
Enteledonts, nicknamed “hell pigs,” snouted onto the scene during the ice age in Mongolia and quickly spread to Europe and North America. The largest could weigh up to 2,000 pounds. Despite its moniker, enteledonts most likely used their enormous jaws to dig for roots and chew plants. However, bite marks have been found on a number of prehistoric animals including prehistoric rhinoceroses.