Facts about Armadillo
Armadillo is Spanish for "little armored one," referring to their outer skin that looks like armor.
The nine-banded armadillo was, with some resistance, made the state small mammal of Texas, where it is considered a pest and is often seen dead on the roadside.
Armadillos also add to the wonder of nature for humans, including the propensity of some to roll themselves into a tight ball when threatened.
Armadillos are short-legged mammals, covered by armor-like jointed plates made up of bone or horny material, separated by flexible tissue.
The diet of different armadillo species varies, but consists mainly of insects, grubs, and other invertebrates.
Armadillos have short legs but can move quickly, and have the ability to remain underwater for as long as six minutes.
The nine-banded armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus, also serves science through its unusual reproductive system, in which four identical quadruplets are born in each litter (Schaefer and Hostetler).
The North American nine-banded armadillo tends to jump straight in the air when surprised, and consequently often collides with the undercarriage or fenders of passing vehicles (LOC 2007).
The smallest armadillo, the pink fairy armadillo or pichiciego (Chlamyphorus truncatus), found in Argentina, is approximately 90-115 millimeters (3.5-4.5 inches) long excluding the tail.
Armadillos are often used in the study of leprosy, since they, along with mangabey monkeys, rabbits and mice (on their footpads), are among the few known non-human animal species that can contract the disease systemically.
Armadillo is the common name for any of the small, placental, Old World mammals comprising the family Dasypodidae and characterized by a bony armor shell.
All species of armadillo are native to the Americas, where they inhabit a variety of environments.
Armadillo also is used for members of the order Cingulata (previously Edentata) within which Dasypodidae is placed.
The nine-banded armadillo prefers to build burrows in moist soil near the creeks, streams, and arroyos near which it lives and feeds.
Armadillos are short-legged mammals, covered by armor-like jointed plates made up of bone or horny material, separated by flexible tissue.
Earlier, German settlers in Texas would often refer to the armadillo as Panzerschwein ("armored pig").
Armadillos use their claws for digging and finding food, as well as for making their homes in burrows.
Armadillos are prolific diggers, and many species use their sharp claws to dig for food such as grubs, and to dig dens.
Only the South American three-banded armadillos (Tolypeutes) rely heavily on their armor for protection.