Holmesina is a genus of pampathere, an extinct group of armadillo-like creatures that were distantly related to extant armadillos. Like armadillos, and unlike the other extinct branch of Cingulata, the glyptodonts, the shell was made up of flexible plates which allowed the animal to move more easily. Holmesina species were herbivores that grazed on coarse vegetation; armadillos are mostly insectivorous or omnivorous. Holmesina individuals were much larger than any modern armadillo: They could reach a length of 2 m, and a weight of 227 kg (500 lbs), while the modern giant armadillo does not attain more than 54 kg (119 lbs).