Xenarthra is the only periodical dedicated to publishing scientific articles and reports on different subjects regarding the conservation and natural history of xenarthrans—among the least known of all mammal groups, and notoriously difficult to study in the wild. By helping to share information and stimulate exchange between xenarthran researchers, Xenarthra promotes both the science and conservation of these fascinating animals.

Xenarthra also provides a forum for reports on the care and breeding of captive xenarthrans, whose needs are specialized and often barely known. Xenarthra thus fulfills the additional role of communicating information among zoo professionals and other animal caretakers, as well as including them in the flow of information from field research.