Dallas Zoo Armadillo Fact Sheet

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Three-Banded Armadillo

0.1-“Titan”

Titan and Laya

Titan and Laya are very easy to handle. It is important when presenting her to be mindful of your hand movements to make sure that you are keeping her as steady as possible and not moving her around too much. You may put her on the floor and let her run around inside a circle of kids. Be mindful if you put her down that she can move very quickly, so make sure she is not on a surface where she could fall. Signs of stress include shivering or shaking, growling,

Geographic Range

South America: north central Argentina, east central Bolivia and sections of Brazil and Paraguay.

Habitat

This species is found mainly in the grasslands or marshes near dry forests or savannah areas.

Physical Description

Total body length is around 9 to 13 inches. They are dark brown and heavely armored with a thick, leathery shell that is usually segmented into 3 bands. The three characteristic bands that cover the back of the animal allow it enough flexibility to fit its tail and head together, allowing it to protect its underbelly, limbs, eyes, nose and ears from predators. The shell covering its body is armored and the outer layer is made out of keratin, the same component that builds human fingernails. The tail is very stout and immobile. The middle three toes on the back feet are grown together and have a thick claw. The forefeet toes are seperated and have 4 claws. They weigh about 3 to 3 ½ pounds. The shell covering its body is armored and the outer layer is made out of keratin, the same component that builds human fingernails.

Reproduction

The southern three-banded armadillo reaches sexual maturity at 9-12 months of age. Gestation period is about 4 months and young at birth weigh about 80 grams. Most young are born from November-January but births have been reported throughout the year, indicating that there is no distinct breeding season.

The single young are born blind but quickly develop the ability to close their shells and walk. They are no longer dependent on their mothers after 72 days.

Behavior

The southern three-banded armadillo is peculiar among armadillos for its rolling behavior. It can completely close its shell around its entire body. Usually it leaves a small space between a section of its armor, which it forcefully closes on the hand, finger, or paw of a would-be predator. This shell is also very efficient at trapping air, which is warmed by body heat, and thus conserves heat loss. Three-banded armadillos are usually solitary but occasionally group together during cold weather. They do not dig burrows of their own but use abandoned anteater burrows, or they make their dens under dense vegetation.

Food Habits

Three-banded Armadillo has a long, sticky, straw-like pink tongue that allows it to gather up and eat many different species of insects, typically ants and termites. They use their strong legs and large claws to dig through insect colonies or under bark to get to their food.

Diet at Zoo

Titan receives 150 grams of paste and 30 worms every day.

Economic Importance for Humans

This species is hunted throughout its range for its meat and is an important food source in some areas.

Conservation Status

They do not appear to be declining at a threatening rate.

Interesting Facts

The only species of armadillo capable of rolling into a complete ball to defend itself. Three-banded armadillos generally walk on the tips of the foreclaws, even when running.

Life Expectancy

Average life expectancy about 12-15 years, however under human care have been known to live to 20s.

Social/Solitary

They are primarily solitary, although groups of up to 12 have been observed sharing the same den site during cold spells.

References

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Tolypeutes_matacus.html

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