Many people believe that the most impressive claws on the planet belong to fearsome predators like grizzly bears or Bengal tigers. Others recall the slow-moving sloths that spend their entire lives in trees. Indeed, the claws of three-toed sloths can easily reach ten centimeters in length. The paws of the Siberian tiger and the American brown bear have similar dimensions. However, the absolute world leader in this category has been unanimously recognized by biologists as the giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus), writes Discover Wildlife. **Inhabitant of South America** This elusive mammal resides in hard-to-reach areas of South America. Nature has endowed it with an incredible third finger on its front paws, which is topped with a huge sickle-shaped claw. The length of this bony blade in adult individuals often reaches 20 centimeters. When comparing proportions, this formidable tool accounts for almost a quarter of the total body length of the animal itself. **Peaceful Worker** Despite having the longest claws in the world, the giant armadillo behaves exceptionally peacefully and never uses its enormous sickles to attack. The huge claws serve as a working tool for the animal. With their help, the mammal can destroy sturdy termite mounds in just a few minutes, dig deep burrows, and extract ants, worms, spiders, snakes, and juicy roots of local plants from the ground. Biologists themselves joke that this armored creature is a living excavator. It certainly will not attack a person, but it is still advisable not to approach a working armadillo closely due to the risk of accidental injury. The amazing claws are far from the only unique feature of this South American resident. Scientific studies confirm that the giant armadillo simultaneously holds another biological record. This remarkable creature is officially recognized as the land mammal with the most teeth on the planet. Its elongated mouth can simultaneously contain about a hundred small bony plates that help it effectively grind hard food.