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Armadillos ( Spanish for 'little armored ones') are New World placental mammals in the order Cingulata. They form part of the superorder Xenarthra, along with the anteaters and sloths. 21 extant species of armadillo have been described, some of which are distinguished by the number of bands on their armor.
Armadillos are leathery little animals that live in North, Central, and South America. Though they seem scaled, like a reptile, armadillos are actually mammals. They are warm-blooded, have hair, give live birth, and nurse their babies with milk. Their name comes from their thick leathery skin, and means “little armored one” in Spanish.
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May 10, 2024 · Armadillos are armoured mammals with a set of plates called the carapace that covers much of their body. They live in Central and South America, mostly in open areas, and feed on insects, vegetation, and carrion.
Learn about armadillos, the only living mammals with bony plates that cover their bodies. Find out how they live, what they eat, and how they defend themselves from predators.
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- Bob Strauss
- There Are 21 Identified Armadillo Species. The nine-banded armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus, is by far the most familiar, but armadillos come in an impressive range of shapes and sizes, and with some of the most amusing names.
- Armadillos Live in North, Central, and South America. Armadillos are exclusively New World mammals, originating in South America millions of years ago during the Cenozoic Era, when the Central American isthmus had yet to form and this continent was cut off from North America.
- The Plates of Armadillos Are Made of Bone. Unlike the horns of rhinos or the fingernails and toenails of humans, the plates of armadillos are made of solid bone.
- Armadillos Feed Exclusively on Invertebrates. The vast majority of armored animals—from the long-extinct Ankylosaurus to the modern pangolin—evolved, so their plates were not for intimidating other creatures but to avoid being eaten by predators.
Jan 27, 2023 · Learn how to identify, locate, and deter armadillos from your property with natural and technical methods. Find out why armadillos are pests, how they can harm your lawn and garden, and when to call a professional.
Learn about the 21 species of armadillos, their habitats, diets, shells, and more. Find out how armadillos are related to leprosy, how they sleep, and why they are endangered.
