![]() Sometimes, a seven-banded armadillo will share its burrow with others of the same gender, though. During cold times, a group of armadillos may hunker down in a burrow together to share body heat. Usually, the only time armadillos get together is to mate or to keep warm. During the morning and evenings, they forage for food. They usually sleep up to 16 hours each day in burrows, according to National Geographic. HabitsĪrmadillos are not social creatures and spend most of their time sleeping. ![]() In 2000, the body of a nine-banded armadillo was found in central Illinois, according to ADW. They have been seen in Florida and are now common in Missouri. Since the mid-19th century, nine-banded armadillos have expanded northward. The nine-banded armadillo ranges from Argentina to the southern United States, according to the Animal Diversity Web (ADW) at the University of Michigan. This makes digging for food and creating burrows easier.Īll armadillos live in Central and South America, except for one species. Usually, armadillos prefer sandy or loam soils that are loose and porous. According to the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management, armadillos are very picky about where they live based on what type of soil is found in the area. Most armadillos stick to areas closer to the equator because they like temperate to warm areas due to their lack of fat stores. They also have strong legs and sharp claws for digging. They also have wiry hairs along their sides and belly, which they use to feel their way around, like curb feelers on some cars. Their eyesight is poor, so they hunt with a highly developed sense of smell. Other armadillo species simply dig a hole quickly and hunker down so that their tender stomach is protected and their armor is the only thing visible.Īrmadillos have pointy snouts and long, sticky tongues, similar to anteaters, which are close cousins. Only one species, the three-banded armadillo, can roll itself into a hard armored ball to defend itself against predators. The number of armored bands identifies the different species, according to the San Diego Zoo. An armadillo’s armor is made up of overlapping plates covering the back, head, legs and tail. Giant armadillos are the largest species, and are about 5 feet (1.5 meters) long, according to National Geographic. The smallest is the pink fairy armadillo, which is about 6 inches (15 centimeters) long. Some armadillos are very small, while others are huge. There are 21 species of armadillo, according to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). They are also known as the “Hillbilly Speed Bump” for their tendency to get run over by vehicles. In fact, its name in Spanish means “little armored one.” The armadillo’s armor works well against most predators, but not against cars. Armadillos are barrel-shaped animals covered with natural armor.
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