armadillo shell facts

The gestation period for armadillos ranges from 2 to 5 months. This is in fact its self-defense mechanism aimed at scaring away potential predators. These burrows can be up to 15 feet (4.5 m) wide, according to the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage. The shell helps protect the armadillo from predators and to protect it from the spiky undergrowth that it lives in . If an armadillo is tossed into deep water, it sinks, then comes to the surface and swims with an awkward dog-paddle stroke. It becomes more active during the night, twilight, or just before sunrise. The number of armored bands identifies the different species, according to the San Diego Zoo. The nine-banded armadillo is the official state animal of Texas. Armadillo is a Spanish word meaning “little armored one” and refers to the bony plates that cover the back, head, legs, and tail of most of these odd looking creatures. In water, the weight of their shell can easily make them sink, but interestingly, they do not. Armadillos sleep anywhere from 16-18 hours per day! Their digging capabilities help them find food to eat – namely insects, as well as small mammals, roots, and fruit. Armadillo shells are bulletproof. Here is the taxonomy of armadillos, according to ITIS: Kingdom: Animalia Subkingdom: Bilateria Infrakingdom: Deuterostomia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata Infraphylum: Gnathostomata Superclass: Tetrapoda Class: Mammalia Subclass: Theria Infraclass: Eutheria Order: Cingulata Family: Dasypodidae Subfamilies: Dasypodinae, Euphractinae and Tolypeutinae Genera and species: There are nine genera and 21 species, including: According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), armadillos are not endangered. The Library of Congress: How High can a Nine-Banded Armadillo Jump? All armadillos live in Central and South America, except for one species. The armadillo shell is made out of bone that grows directly from their vertebrae. Amazing Facts About the Armadillo There are 20 different species of armadillo, all of which live solely in Latin America with the exception of the Nine-banded armadillo which has expanded into the USA. You will receive a verification email shortly. Armadillos of the genus Dasypus give birth to four genetically identical young that … The name comes from the Spanish “armado” which means “armoured”. If an armadillo comes across an obstacle that it can’t burrow under, they can use their fantastic climbing abilities to go over the object! 1 – There are around 20 or so living species of armadillo, almost all of which are named, with a staggering lack of imagination, for aspects of their appearance. I was out in a field where they had some cattle and the dove were few and far between. They rarely share their burrows with other armadillos. They also have strong legs and sharp claws for digging. Pups mature quickly. Giant armadillos are the largest species, and are about 5 feet (1.5 meters) long, according to National Geographic. Please refresh the page and try again. According to the San Diego Zoo, twin births are common. © 7. The armadillo babies are born without the bony plates. Let's find out. It is one of the desert friendly animals. Evidence suggests that this keratin is actually just modified Their average length of armadillos are about 75 cm including tail. 30 Interesting Facts About Giant Anteaters That You Didn't Know. They are special because of the fact that they have an outer shell like covering much akin to tortoise. Evidence suggests that this keratin is actually just modified skin that evolved for defensive protection. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. The smallest is known as the pink fairy armadillo, which is about the size of a chipmunk. 7 – Armadillos come in many different sizes, from the smallest, the ‘Pink Fairy’ at about 5 inches (13cm) long and 85g in weight, to the largest, not surprisingly the ‘Giant’, at up to five foot (150cm) long and around 60kg (132lb). Please deactivate your ad blocker in order to see our subscription offer. Visit our corporate site. The armadillo is the only mammal that has a shell that is as strong as armor. They develop after a few weeks, with the soft skin turning into the hard armor we know of. Their digging capabilities help them find food to eat – namely insects, as well as small mammals, roots, and fruit . Interesting Pink Fairy Armadillo Facts 1. Are they hunted? 45. During cold times, a group of armadillos may hunker down in a burrow together to share body heat. By 6. One species in particular - the nine-banded armadillo - has made its way into the southern United States, and is the focus of this page. AI system solves 50-year-old protein folding problem in hours, Newfound marine blob looks like 'party balloon' with two strings, scientists say, Broken Arecibo telescope collapses, ending an era of alien-hunting, Biblical Goliath may not have been a giant, Mysterious black spot in polar explorer's diary offers gruesome clue to his fate, Our solar system will disintegrate sooner than we thought, Sprawling 8-mile-long 'canvas' of ice age beasts discovered hidden in Amazon rainforest, Mystery Settlers Reached 'Step to Americas' Before Vikings. Did you scroll all this way to get facts about armadillo shell? Though they may not be very cuddly, there’s no denying that armadillos are still incredibly cute creatures! Useful though it may be on most occasions, the heavy shell is a definite handicap around water. At the time of their birth, they only have a soft leathery covering that resembles their distinctive shell. Armadillos can be pinkish, dark-brown, black, red, gray or yellowish in color. The largest species grows nearly 5 ft. long, and weighs up to 119 lbs. 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. Nine-banded armadillos have four identical pups of the same gender in every litter, and the seven-banded armadillo has eight to 15 identical pups at one time. One species of armadillo screams loudly when it is threatened. Like an armadillo, glyptodon had a head and tail that protruded from a large shell. Due to their poor immune system, armadillos are often used in studying diseases such as leprosy.

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