by Imonikhe Ahimie

Created on: May 13, 2009   Last Updated: May 14, 2009

Armadillos are a type of mammal which are native to the Americas, particularly South America. There are 21 species of armadillos and they are characterised by the absence of enamel on their teeth and are known especially for having leathery armoured shells and indeed the name armadillo is Spanish for little armoured one. The average length of armadillos is in the range of 75 cm but different species of armadillo differ greatly in size, ranging from the fairy armadillo, chlamyphorus trucatus, which grows to a length of about 12.5 cm to 15 cm when it is fully grown to the giant armadillo, priodontes giganteus, which can grow to as much as 1.5 metres in length.

The upper parts of the armadillo is covered by horn covered bone plates known as scutes. In most of the species, these scutes fuse together to form shields which cover the head, shoulders, pelvic and tail regions, and it is these shields that give the armadillo its peculiar armoured cover. The back and flanks of the animal are covered by rings or bands of this armoured material connected by ordinary skin which allows the body to bend. The underside of the animal has no armour and is simply covered with soft skin and fur.

The diet of armadillos differs from specie to specie, but it is made up mainly of insects, grubs and other invertebrates. Armadillos have five clawed toes on their hind feet and three to five heavily clawed toes on their forefeet which are very well adapted to digging. Consequently most armadillos are very good diggers and they utilise their sharp claws to dig for food and to build their burrows. The nine banded armadillo, dasypus novemcinctus, for instance, builds its burrow in moist soil near creeks and streams where it lives and feeds. Armadillos have a large number of teeth; the giant armadillo with about 100 teeth has the largest number of teeth of all land mammals. The teeth are not differentiated into molars and premolars, but they have canine and incisor teeth.

Although these creatures are armour plated, only the two banded armadillo, tolypeutes, of South America depends upon its armour as its primary means of defence; when faced by a predator, the two banded armadillo rolls up into a ball. This is particularly useful for the two banded armadillo as it is unable to burrow like most other armadillos can. Most armadillos are unable to roll into a ball as does the two banded armadillo because they have too many bands to permit rolling.

Flight is the primary means of avoiding predators by most armadillos, for although the creatures have short legs, they are extremely fleet footed and can move rapidly to escape from predators. Often, they will flee into thorny patches where they are protected by their armour and the predator is unable to keep up the pursuit. Some species escape their predators by burrowing into the soil with amazing rapidity.

Depending on the species, conception to birth may last from 2 months (60 days) to 4 months (120 days), and a typical litter contains between one and eight young. The young are born with soft leathery skin that hardens within a few weeks and sexual maturity is reached in three to twelve months depending on species. There is a caveat though, in the case of the nine banded armadillo. This armadillo can delay the implantation of the fertilised ovum so that birth can be delayed for up to eight months after mating has taken place. Further, this armadillo always gives birth to identical quadruplets; the reasons for this peculiar manner of having its young is currently unclear.

Adult armadillos are solitary animals and do not share burrows one with another.

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