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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 · Armadillo, (family Dasypodidae), any of various armoured mammals found mainly in tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America. Most of the 20 species inhabit open areas, such as grasslands, but some also live in forests. All armadillos possess a set of plates called the carapace.
Armadillos. Scientific Name: Dasypodidae. Type: Mammals. Diet: Omnivore. Average Life Span In Captivity: 12 to 15 years. Size: 5 to 59 inches. Weight: 3 ounces to 120 pounds. Size relative to a...
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- 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.
Armadillo Facts. Armadillo Profile. Armadillos are known for their armored bodies and their ability to curl up into tight balls to defend themselves from predators. They are fast diggers with pointy snouts and long tongues that allow them to search for insects underground. Their bellies are the most vulnerable part of their bodies.
Oct 6, 2015 · The nine-banded armadillo is the official state animal of Texas. The giant armadillo can have up to 100 teeth, according to the San Diego Zoo.
