Xenarthrans, members of the superorder Xenarthra, are a group of mammals in the Americas and currently consists of anteaters, sloths, and armadillos.

Xenarthrans share several characteristics not present in other mammals, and are often considered to be among the most primitive order of placental mammals. The name Xenarthra, which means "strange joints", was chosen because their vertebral joints have extra articulations unlike other mammals, referred to as "xenarthry". This xenarthry functioned to assist in their use of the forelegs in activities not associated with locomotion, such as digging—the primary method used by anteaters and armadillos to obtain food. Xenarthran diets range from strictly insectivorous in anteaters, to strictly herbivorous in sloths. Armadillos, not nearly as specialized, eat a variety of plant matter and small animals. Xenarthran metabolisms, however, are similar in that all are low compared with those of other mammals; some burn calories at less than half the rate expected for mammals of similar size. As a result, Xenarthrans eat less than other mammals and have body temperatures that are a few degrees cooler.

See also

• tag group:species
• mammal
• afrosoricid - Golden mole and tenrec.
• bovine - Buffalo, cattle, yak, etc.
• camelid - Alpaca, camel, llama, etc.
• canine - Dog, fox, wolf, etc.
• caprine - Goat, ibex, sheep, etc.
• cervine - Elk, moose, reindeer, etc.
• cetacean - Dolphin, porpoise, whale, etc.
• equine - Donkey, horse, zebra, etc.
• eulipotyphlan - Hedgehog, mole, shrew, etc.
• euplerid - Fanaloka, fossa, vontsira, etc.
• feline - Cat, lion, tiger, etc.
• giraffid - Giraffe, okapi, etc.
• herpestid - Mongoose
• lagomorph - Rabbit, hare, pika, etc.
• marsupial - Kangaroo, koala, opossum, etc.
• mephitid - Skunks and stink badgers.
• monotreme - Echidna and platypus
• mustelid - Ferret, otter, weasel, etc.
• pinniped - Sea lion, seal, walrus, etc.
• porcine - Boar, pig, warthog, etc.
• primate - Ape, lemur, monkey, etc. (excludes human)
• proboscidean - Elephant, mammoth, mastodon, etc.
• procyonid - Kinkajou, raccoon, ring-tailed cat, etc.
• rodent - Mouse, rat, squirrel, etc.
• ursine - Grizzly bear, panda, polar bear, etc.
• viverrid - Civet, genet, linsang, etc.
• xenarthran - Anteater, armadillo, and sloth.