Armadillo is actually 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. They are closely related to anteaters and sloths. Interesting Facts About the Armadillo However their body has been adapted to their surroundings in the process of evolution. An armadillo's armor is made up of overlapping plates covering the back, h… It also had an armored back made up of more than 1,000 bony plates that fit together tightly, which made the glyptodon’s back look more like a turtle’s than a modern armadillo’s. Useful though it may be on most occasions, the heavy shell is a definite handicap around water. The smallest is the pink fairy armadillo, which is about 6 inches (15 centimeters) long. As a whole, armadillos usually have tank-like bodies, with short legs and sturdy builds. The nine-banded armadillo is the official state animal of Texas. The screaming hairy armadillo gets it name from the sound it makes when threatened. These scales are made from keratin, a protein also found in hair and nails. Armadillos can live anywhere from four to 30 years. The most common armadillo shell metal Some armadillos are very small, while others are huge. Don't get the idea that they are cowards, however. I know cars aren't bullets but there are a crap load of dead Armadillos on the sides of … Armadillo sizes span from 5-59 inches (12-150cm) in length and 3-120 pounds (1.3-54 kg) in weight. To increase buoyancy and help offset the shell's weight, the armadillo gulps air, inflating its stomach and intestines to double their normal size. — is able to roll up. This defense mechanism is not only applied to predators since armadillos are defensive to … It is very common in Texas to run over a 9-banded Armadillo while driving hence the name “hillbilly speed bump”. Its body has an excellent mechanism to get across lakes… In captivity, they can live 12-15 years. Press J to jump to the feed. It is highly-territorial and always marks its territory. For example, the Andean hairy armadillo is considered vulnerable because its population has declined by more than 30 percent in the past 10 years. It is so hard and durable that it can deflect a bullet…as one unlucky Texas man discovered the hard way when he was hospitalized after being hit in the jaw with a bullet that ricocheted off the armadillo he shot. Their digging capabilities help them find food to eat – namely insects, as well as small mammals, roots, and fruit. The armadillo can flush the blood vessels in its shell (hence the pink color), and adjust its body temperature. The armadillo's hard shell is called a carapace and is made of bone and a tough tissue coating. Color ranges for armadillos vary between dark brown, black, red, gray, or even yellow! I was watching an armadillo nosing his (or her) way in my direction. Only one of the twenty-odd varieties of armadillos — the three-banded armadillo (Tolypeutes tricinctus) — is able to roll up.) They are weaned by two to four months. It possesses pink color bony armor shell. Armadillo Facts & Information The nine-banded armadillo is a funny little animal that lives in the southern part of the United States and down into Central and South America. The nine-banded armadillo ranges from Argentina to the southern United States, according to the Animal Diversity Web (ADW) at the University of Michigan. The shell is actually fragile and pretty flexible. Only three-banded armadillo can curl into the ball to protect itself from predators. Let's find out. The massive armadillo is the major of all armadillos. Armadillos are found in several colors, including black, gray, yellow, brown or pink. Armadillos sleep anywhere from 16-18 hours per day! You will receive a verification email shortly. An armadillo's armor is made up of overlapping plates covering the back, head, legs and tail. When they need to cross a large body of water, armadillos can gulp air into their intestines in order to become more buoyant. User account menu. Its heavy body remains almost completely submerged, and the animal tires rapidly. 2. In its lifetime, an armadillo can have up to 56 young over the course of her life. 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. Black cats are well-known for being bad luck. I have shot several Armadillo in my day. Armadillos are like mammals and give birth to young ones and wean them with milk like any other mammals. These burrows can be up to 15 feet (4.5 m) wide, according to the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage. The nine-banded Armadillo is a solitary, nocturnal animal. © 2020 The Fact Site | All Rights Reserved | Sitemap, The Fact Site requires you to enable Javascript to browse our website. Armadillos of the genus Dasypus give birth to four genetically identical young that … The number of armored bands identifies the different species, according to the San Diego Zoo. The armadillos in the southern United States carrying the bacteria that can cause leprosy are now found over a much larger geographic range than just a few years ago, a new study suggests. 2 years ago. Link/cite this page. Armadillos that carry the bacteria that cause leprosy now live over a much larger range of the South than they did just a few years ago, a new study suggests. During cold times, a group of armadillos may hunker down in a burrow together to share body heat. In fact, one Texas man was hospitalized when a bullet he shot at an armadillo ricocheted off the animal and hit him in the jaw. Though they may not be very cuddly, there’s no denying that armadillos are still incredibly cute creatures! Glyptodon (from Greek for "grooved or carved tooth": γλυπτός "sculptured" and ὀδοντ-, ὀδούς "tooth") was a genus of large, heavily armored mammals of the subfamily Glyptodontinae (glyptodonts or glyptodontines) – relatives of armadillos – that lived during the Pleistocene epoch.It was roughly the same size and weight as a Volkswagen Beetle. Just because the armadillo babies are called pup doesn’t mean that they have got anything to do with dogs. There are 20 species of armadillos – only one of which lives in North America. The smallest is the pink fairy armadillo, which is about 6 inches (15 centimeters) long. This armadillo, also known as the long-nosed armadillo, has a hard outer shell, and I wanted to find out how it used it to its advantage. There are 21 species of armadillo, according to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). One species of armadillo screams loudly when it is threatened. 29 They proposed that the major function of catenins might be to link proteins coding for Ca 2 + -dependent cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) to cytoskeletal structures. There are at least 21 different species of armadillo, each with its own unique appearance. This means that the shell is not used as a protective armor. I'm 100% certain they are NOT bullet proof. Sometimes, a seven-banded armadillo will share its burrow with others of the same gender, though. Here are 12 interesting facts about armadillos: There are twenty different varieties of Armadillo. Since the mid-19th century, nine-banded armadillos have expanded northward. 2. Armadillo Facts; All About Armadillos; A-maze-ing Letters; Armadillo Structure; Two Genera; There’s More! There are about 20 different species of armadillos. Armadillos have pointy snouts and long, sticky tongues, similar to anteaters, which are close cousins. This kind of behavior protects them from predators that are out to get them. Inversely, drainign the shell allos the animal to better retain heat. The rest live in South America. The color of the shell can actually change depending on the environment in which the animal is put it. Their average length of armadillos are about 75 cm including tail. 1-5 Armadillo Facts 1. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/group/armadillos Michelle Gabriel is a freelance writer and blogger and currently loving it! Only one genus, which comprizes the two species of three-banded armadillo, ... A three-banded armadillo and her young. Awesome armor. Facts about Armadillo leathery Armour shell. Learn about the armadillo with these important facts about diet, behavior, appearance, and more. Armadillo shells are bulletproof The armadillo's hard shell is called a carapace and is made of bone and a tough tissue coating. Evidence suggests that this keratin is actually just modified skin that evolved for defensive protection. They have a thick leathery “shell” of skin, which protects them from predators. The smallest is known as the pink fairy armadillo, which is about the size of a chipmunk. They can hold their breath underwater for more than 5 minutes. It is an exceptional individual categorized by its shell-like skin. Their eyesight is poor, so they hunt with a highly developed sense of smell. Here are 13 Interesting Armadillo facts. In fact, their huge shells ... it will retreat its feet under the shell's edge and touches the soil with the edges of the shell. Some armadillos are very small, while others are huge. Armadillos can be pinkish, dark-brown, black, red, gray or yellowish in … 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. The smallest species is just 5 – 6 in. New York, They are also known as the “Hillbilly Speed Bump” for their tendency to get run over by vehicles. An armadillo’s shell is made up of bony plates covered by thick, hard skin. Why does the black cat get such a bad rap? This is in fact its self-defense mechanism aimed at scaring away potential predators. All armadillos live in Central and South America, except for one species. The armadillo babies are born without the bony plates. For their shell and their meat and because farmers view them as a pest. In water, the weight of their shell can easily make them sink, but interestingly, they do not. However, while females are exclusive with their territories, males tend to overlap into those of others. 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. Found across the globe, there are over 200 species of sea urchin and new ones are being found even today. They also have strong legs and sharp claws for digging. Ever Wondered What the Opposite of an Albino Animal is? With their long, sticky tongue, armadillos catch ants, beetles, termites and other insects after digging them out of the ground. Etymology. Most of these are pretty ordinary, e.g the ‘Northern Naked-tailed’, Cabassous Centralis, ‘Southern Three-banded’, Tolypeutes matacus, ‘Big Hairy’ (yes, really! Thank you for signing up to Live Science. Armadillo Facts – Characteristics. You can eat armadillo, called “possum on the half-shell,” or, during the Great Depression, “Hoover hogs.” They are said to taste somewhat like pork. This is what gives the pink fairy armadillo shell its pink or pale-rose appearance. Twenty Terrific Facts About The Number 20, 100 Festive Facts To Get You Ready For Christmas. The giant armadillo is considered vulnerable because its population has decreased by at least 30 percent in the past 21 years. 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). What do they eat? 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. Armadillos can hold their breath underwater for almost six minutes, and can swim across ponds and rivers.They tore air in trachea and wide bronchus. Usually, the only time armadillos get together is to mate or to keep warm. During the morning and evenings, they forage for food. It is aptly named the screaming hairy armadillo. It is one of the desert friendly animals. Armadillos are barrel-shaped animals covered with natural armor. The word armadillo means "little armoured one" in Spanish. They use their snout and long tongue to dig the ground for food. Their whole body (head, back, legs and tail) is covered with bony plates. If the armadillo exposes more of its blood to the cool air it can lower it’s temperature. By Armadillos are sexually central-aged at nine – twelve months of age. Armadillos like to live solitary lives. Only one species, the three-banded armadillo, can roll itself into a hard armored ball to defend itself against predators. The giant armadillo can have up to 100 teeth, according to the San Diego Zoo. 19. Other armadillos are too unwieldy to pull off this trick and prefer to escape predators by simply running away or, like the nine-banded armadillo, executing a sudden vertical leap three or four feet into the air. When the swim is over, it ma… Should you see one keep away because if one crosses you, you'll be cursed for life. It also has long nails that enable it … The screaming hairy armadillo gets its name from the sound it makes when threatened. They can be pink, red, black, gray or yellow. Are they hunted? A keen sense of smell enables the near-sighted armadillo to locate grubs, beetles, insects, snails, worms, ants, and other such gourmet delights that may be buried beneath six inches of soil. The giant armadillos that reach 59 inches can have up to 100 teeth. This armadillo, also known as the long-nosed armadillo, has a hard outer shell, and I wanted to find out how it used it to its advantage. The word armadillo means “little armoured one” in Spanish as the animal are surrounded by leathery strong armour shell. The armadillo shell is made out of bone that grows directly from their vertebrae. Armadillos can be found in forested areas throughout Central and South America. Armadillo shells are bulletproof. They are able to float on the water by filling their lungs and stomach … Usually, armadillos prefer sandy or loam soils that are loose and porous. They are special because of the fact that they have an outer shell like covering much akin to tortoise. If that’s not enough to spike your interest in these animals, these 30 facts about armadillos will certainly impress you! Future US, Inc. 11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor, In fact, the closest relatives to an armadillo would be sloth & anteaters. The armadillo shell is made out of bone that grows directly from their vertebrae. Armadillos can be pinkish, dark-brown, black, red, gray or yellowish in color. Well, they’re omnivores, so that means they can eat plants and animals such as insects, ants, palm nuts and fruits. From one egg there are 4 baby armadillos! Armadillo facts: Interesting facts about Armadillos. Armadillos are omnivores, which means they eat meat and plants, though 90 percent of an armadillo’s diet is made up of insects and larvae, according to the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management. Their digging capabilities help them find food to eat – namely insects, as well as small mammals, roots, and fruit. Their alien look and behavior have made a rather big cloud of myths and stories about them. The Aztecs called them āyōtōchtli [aːjoːˈtoːt͡ʃt͡ɬi], Nahuatl for "turtle-rabbit": āyōtl [ˈaːjoːt͡ɬ] (turtle) and tōchtli [ˈtoːt͡ʃt͡ɬi] (rabbit). 7. The Fact Site is the number one source for the most interesting & random facts about animals, celebrities, food, films, games & so much more. Neither do armadillo babies resemble a dog’s pup in any manner. I was out dove hunting MANY years ago. Armadillos are like mammals and give birth to young ones and wean them with milk like any other mammals. Armadillos sleep anywhere from 16-18 hours per day! I was out in a field where they had some cattle and the dove were few and far between. 2. Visit our corporate site. 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. The “armor” isn’t the only protection this armadillo has from predators. The name comes from the Spanish “armado” which means “armoured”. Incredible Armadillo Facts. The armadillo shell is made out of bone that grows directly from their vertebrae. Why Do We Eat Pumpkin Pie At Thanksgiving? The Chlamyphoridae and Dasypodidae are the only surviving families in the order, which is part of the superorder Xenarthra, along with the anteaters and sloths. There are 106 armadillo shell for sale on Etsy, and they cost $27.88 on average. 7.If an armadillo is surprised by a predator on open terrain, it will retreat its feet under the shell's edge and touches the soil with the edges of the shell. Surprisingly, armadillos are good swimmers, and can hold their breath for up to 6 minutes. Well you're in luck, because here they come. Armadillo traits and characteristics. After a gestation period of two to five months, the female will give birth to one to 12 young in a birthing burrow. You can eat armadillo, called “possum on the half-shell,” or, during the Great Depression, “Hoover hogs.” They are said to taste somewhat like pork. All information appearing on this site has been precisely and thoroughly researched, nevertheless should you notice any errors, please do notify us via email. Facts: Development for armadillos usually lasts four months, following to which time 1 – 2 young are natural. From time to time, they will scavenge for dead animals. 30 Interesting Facts About Giant Anteaters That You Didn't Know. (Image credit: Robert Eastman Shutterstock
), Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management, National Wildlife Federation: Nine-Banded Armadillo. In the wild, armadillo’s life spans range from 4-7 years. The largest are the giant armadillos, which are about the size of a small pig. One species in particular - the nine-banded armadillo - has made its way into the southern United States, and is the focus of this page. Pups mature quickly. Alina Bradford - Live Science Contributor Her primary focus and passion is traveling, which she does full time and continues to be her preferred topic when composing articles. But it is not as tough or strong as the shell of an adult armadillo. But the most common and wide-spread species of armadillo, the nine-banded, ranges well into North America, and is the State animal of Texas. The smallest is known as the pink fairy armadillo, which is about the size of a chipmunk. Thank you. The armadillo is the only mammal that has a shell that is as strong as armor. They also have wiry hairs along their sides and belly, which they use to feel their way around, like curb feelers on some cars. © Scientists think that the shell is more for thermoregulation. For the 2014 World Cup, an armadillo was the mascot – an accurate representation considering it is the one species that can roll up into a ball! Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The charango is a small Andean stringed instrument of the lute family, which probably originated in the Quechua and Aymara populations in the territory of the Altiplano in post-Colonial times, after European stringed instruments were introduced by the Spanish during colonialization. Please deactivate your ad blocker in order to see our subscription offer. It is a simple and less intelligent animal. The largest species grows nearly 5 ft. long, and weighs up to 119 lbs. The armadillo is the only mammal to have a shell. By nine to 12 months, the pups are mature and ready to have offspring of their own. 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. Stay up to date on the coronavirus outbreak by signing up to our newsletter today. Surprisingly enough, armadillos can run up to 30mph (48km/h)! Here are some facts about this super cute little animal. Interesting Pink Fairy Armadillo Facts: 6-10. Armadillos are not social animals – they only get together with other armadillos to mate or keep warm. They develop after a few weeks, with the soft skin turning into the hard armor we know of. long, and weighs less than a pound! Actually, the armadillo originates from the tropical area of South America over 3 million years ago and it is slowly making its way up through the United States. Interesting Armadillo Facts: They vary in size, from 5-59 inches in length to 3-120 pounds in weight. The smallest species is just 5 – 6 in. Armadillo shells have been traditionally used in making a South American lute instrument called a charango. ), Chaetophractus Vilosus and ‘Giant’, Priodontes Maximus. There are 21 species of armadillo, according to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). They are also often associated with Halloween, but how did this all start in the first place? Let’s have a look on some more The largest are the giant armadillos Giant armadillos are the largest species, and are about 5 feet (1.5 meters) long, according to National Geographic. The Library of Congress: How High can a Nine-Banded Armadillo Jump? When it comes to other armadillos who can’t roll up, they will run or dig a hole in order to escape. It can dig some really deep burrows that are roughly 8 inches wide, 7 feet deep, and 25 feet long. The gestation period for armadillos ranges from 2 to 5 months. It becomes more active during the night, twilight, or just before sunrise. Giant armadillos are the largest species, and are about 5 feet (1.5 meters) long, according to National Geographic. This makes up for the fact that they have poor eyesight. No baby armadillos are not born with their distinctive shell. Like an armadillo, glyptodon had a head and tail that protruded from a large shell. The armadillo has a very hard and scaly outer shell that covers its head, back, tail and legs to protect it from most predators. These cute creatures live in grasslands, rainforests, and semi-arid locations. These scales are made from keratin, a protein also found in hair and nails. Here are 12 interesting facts about armadillos: There are twenty different varieties of Armadillo. The armadillo is the only mammal to have a shell. 6. A newborn baby armadillo has a soft shell that hardens within the first few days. They have been known to throw their bodies on top of snakes, killing them by cutting them with the sharp edges of their shells, according to the San Diego Zoo. They usually sleep up to 16 hours each day in burrows, according to National Geographic. Armadillo facts: Interesting facts about Armadillos. Armadillos do their foraging during the morning and evenings. Armadillo - Photo: mlorenz/Shutterstock Pupils are welcome to use this information at school for animal profiles, fact sheets, essays, work sheets, presentations, posters or homework. As a whole, armadillos usually have tank-like bodies, with short legs and sturdy builds. When a frightened three-banded armadillo curls up into a ball, it often leaves a space open. Armadillo Facts Armadillos are western mammals known for their unique armor-like shell and notorious for their digging habits. In 2000, the body of a nine-banded armadillo was found in central Illinois, according to ADW. The shell helps protect the armadillo from predators and to protect it from the spiky undergrowth that it lives in. They rarely share their burrows with other armadillos. A baby armadillo has a soft leathery shell that does not harden until it grows to adult size. In fact, only the three-banded armadillo can, curling its head and back feet and contorting its shell into a hard ball that confounds would-be predators. Armadillos meaning "little armoured ones" in Spanish are New World placental mammals in the order Cingulata. 45. Famous for their spikes, they play an important role in our ocean’s ecosystems. The armadillo catenin family contains the first investigated members of the ARM protein superfamily. Fun facts about six banded armadillo The six banded armadillo is also known as the yellow armadillo. Their long sticky tongues help them for sucking up ants (including fire ants) and termites. Although most armadillo species look like they are bald, they do have wiry hairs on the sides and the belly. According to the San Diego Zoo, twin births are common.

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