Armadillo

Armadillo, mammal with an armorlike body casing, related to anteaters and sloths. The name armadillo derives from the Spanish, meaning “armored one.” Fossil remains of armadillos date back about 60 million years to the middle Paleocene of South America. Armadillos vary in size from the giant armadillo, which measures about 1 m (about 3 ft) long excluding the tail, to the fairy armadillo, which may attain only 12.5 cm (5 in) in head and body length.

The armadillo’s body casing provides protection against predators. It consists of bony plates called scutes overlaid with horny scales. The scutes and scales form crosswise bands extending over the back and sides of the body, into a shieldlike covering on the head, and, in most species, into rings encircling the tail. Most species can curl up to cover the unprotected abdomen, and the three-banded armadillo can roll itself into a tight ball.

Various species are named for the number of bands that extend over the back and sides. South American species include the three-banded armadillo, or apar, and the six-banded armadillo. The nine-banded armadillo, or peba, is the only armadillo found in the United States. It inhabits Texas, southern Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and parts of Florida. It also lives in South and Central America.

Another distinguishing characteristic of the armadillo is its set of teeth, which are simple peglike structures that lack the usual covering of enamel. The animal has no front teeth but, depending on the species, usually from 28 to 36 “cheek” teeth. Despite short legs, the armadillo moves relatively quickly, and with its strong feet and thick claws can burrow with considerable speed.

The armadillo inhabits forests, savannas, open grasslands, and rain forests, depending on the species. Typically solitary and nocturnal, it rests in underground burrows during the day. Some species, such as the nine-banded armadillo, are good swimmers, paddling through the water much like a dog. The armadillo feeds mainly on insects and worms, but some species will also eat small reptiles, rodents, mushrooms, and plants. In general, the armadillo does not fight. Its natural enemies include the puma, jaguar, birds of prey, and snakes.

Armadillos usually have one litter per year of one or two young after a gestation period of two to four months. Some species regularly produce multiple births. Newborns are soft and pink for a short time, before the scaly coat begins to form. The young are weaned in one to several months, and reach sexual maturity between 9 and 12 months. Armadillos live on average 12 to 15 years.

The giant armadillo has been listed as an endangered species by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Scientific classification: Armadillos make up the family Dasypodidae. The giant armadillo is classified as Priodontes maximus, and the fairy armadillo as Chlamyphorus truncatus. Three-banded armadillos make up the genus Tolypeutes. The six-banded armadillo is classified as Euphractus sexcinctus and the peba as Dasypus novemcinctus.