Only two species of armadillos from the genus Tolypeutes are capable of curling into tight balls. None purposefully decide to roll away from predators. It’s a frequent misconception that armadillos roll away after curling up into tight balls. During the day, they sleep in burrows that they dig with their claws.Īrmadillos are able to roll up into a tight ball when threatened, which protects their soft underbellies from attack. They are nocturnal animals, meaning they are most active at night. Some are consumed, while others are sold as trinkets. Additionally, they are poisoned, shot, or captured by those who view them as agricultural and lawn pests. When startled, nine-banded armadillos have a propensity to leap straight up into the air, which frequently results in their death on highways.Ĭars can easily drive right over them because they are so little, yet they leap up and strike the undercarriage of moving vehicles. Roadways have made it simpler for them to go to other areas because humans have eliminated the majority of their natural predators. The nine-banded armadillo is becoming more common. In some cultures, the shell is ground up and used as a treatment for various ailments. The shell of an armadillo is also used in traditional medicine. They are able to roll up into a tight ball when threatened, which protects their soft underbellies from attack. The shell of an armadillo provides protection from predators and from the elements. They have sharp claws that they use for digging burrows and foraging for food. The shell is attached to the animal’s skeleton and is covered with skin. Armadillo ShellĪrmadillo shells are made of keratin, the same protein that makes up human fingernails and hair. One armadillo in captivity lived for 23 years. In the wild, nine-banded armadillos typically survive for 7 to 20 years. Because they are nocturnal, nine-banded armadillos spend their waking hours feeding or burrowing. They are better protected by armor from predators like alligators, black bears, and mountain lions. This odd-looking creature is the only living mammal that wears such shells.īecause the shell of the young has not yet hardened, they are incredibly susceptible to predators when they are born.
The nine-banded armadillo is the most common species found in North America. There are over 20 different species of armadillo, including the three-banded armadillo, the six-banded armadillo, and the nine-banded armadillo. The Spanish word “armadillo,” which alludes to the presence of bone plates covering their bodies, translates to “little armored one.” They are characterized by their armored shells, which protect them from predators. The majority of armadillo species are found in South America, while a few species are found in North America and Central America. Armadillos are small to medium-sized mammals found in the Americas.
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