Armadillos | Cingulata

Armadillos | Cingulata

Description
Description

Armadillos are a unique group of mammals within the order Cingulata, recognized for their distinctive armor-like shell composed of bony plates. Originating in South America, they have since diversified and spread into North America, adapting to various habitats like grasslands, rainforests, and semi-deserts. Their evolution traces back to the supercontinent Gondwana, sharing ancestry with extinct glyptodonts. Armadillos are predominantly insectivorous, using strong claws for digging and a keen sense of smell to locate prey. Their armor, while protective, signifies a fascinating evolutionary response to predation, making them a remarkable example of nature's ingenuity in the animal kingdom.

Anatomy
Anatomy

Armadillos are small to medium-sized mammals known for their unique protective shell made of bony plates called scutes. Their body is flexible in the middle, allowing some movement within the armor. They have strong, clawed legs for digging burrows and searching for food like insects and plants. Armadillos have poor eyesight but compensate with a keen sense of smell to detect food and predators. They're not known for vocalizations, primarily communicating through scents. These creatures are solitary, mostly nocturnal, and can vary in their ability to roll into a ball — a defense mechanism against predators, a feature most familiar in the three-banded armadillo.

Human Interaction
Human Interaction

Humans and armadillos share a complex relationship spanning centuries. Indigenous peoples in the Americas have historically used armadillo shells for musical instruments and utensils. In modern times, these creatures often appear in popular culture as symbols of the American Southwest. They're featured in animated films, children's books, and as mascots, reflecting their quirky and distinctive nature.

Unfortunately, armadillos sometimes fall victim to road accidents due to their slow-moving nature. Conservation efforts focus on habitat preservation and mitigating human-wildlife conflicts. As environmental awareness grows, so does the recognition of the armadillo's role in ecosystems, leading to increased efforts to protect them.

Common Questions
Common Questions
How strong are armadillo shells?

The armadillo shell is made of bone and tough tissues, so it is not bulletproof and neither is it unbreakable, but just something to protect the animal from predators and spikes from thorny undergrowth. The thickness and size of the shells vary from one animal to another. What is good about this shell is that it is not heavy as the animal can still run at a speed of 30 miles per hour.

Are armadillos blind?

It is true that the eyesight of the Armadillo isn’t well-developed. As a result, it relies a lot on the ears and nose to find food and perceive what is happening in its environment. The poor fuzzy colorless vision is because the eyes lack cones, a light-detecting cell. As a result, they are primarily nocturnal.

Which animals are predators of armadillos?

Jaguars, wolves, bears, bobcats, and even coyotes prey upon armadillos. To protect themselves, they run quickly or burrow into their dens. The three-banded armadillo is luckier, as it can curl its head and back feet into its shell to confuse predators. Armadillos may also use their strong and huge front claws to fight off predators.

Animals

* Under Development *

12.2”-16.1” | 31-41 cm
11.4”-14.6” | 29-37 cm
29.5”-37.8” | 75-96 cm (Body)
39.7-72.8 lb | 18-33 kg
12-16 years
Giant Armadillo
41.000
37.000
96.000
33.000
16.00
11600
GUIDE
3D
Giant Armadillo
7.1”-11” | 18-28 cm
7.1”-10.2” | 18-26 cm
15”-22.8” | 38-58 cm (Body)
17.6-37.5 lb | 8-17 kg
12-23 years
Nine-banded Armadillo
28.000
26.000
58.000
17.000
23.00
5400
GUIDE
3D
Nine-banded Armadillo
Pichi
20150
4.7”-7.1” | 12-18 cm
4.1”-5.9” | 10.5-15 cm
10.2”-13.8” | 26-35 cm (Body)
1.5-3.3 lb | .7-1.5 kg
9-13 years
Pichi
18.000
15.000
35.000
1.500
13.00
20150
GUIDE
3D
Pichi
1.2”-1.8” | 3-4.5 cm
.8”-1.2” | 2-3 cm
3.15”-4.7” | 8-12 cm (Body)
.22-.26 lb | .1-.12 kg
3-4 years
Pink Fairy Armadillo
4.500
3.000
12.000
0.120
4.00
27600
GUIDE
3D
Pink Fairy Armadillo
4.3”-8.3” | 11-21 cm
3.9”-7.1” | 10-18 cm
8.7”-16.5” | 22-42 cm (Body)
.66-2.9 lb | .3-1.3 kg
9-16 years
Screaming Hairy Armadillo
21.000
18.000
42.000
1.300
16.00
2650
GUIDE
3D
Screaming Hairy Armadillo
7.5”-9.8” | 19-25 cm
6.3”-7.9” | 16-20 cm
15.75”-19.7” | 40-50 cm (Body)
7.1-14.3 lb | 3.2-6.5 kg
15-22 years
Six-Banded Armadillo
25.000
20.000
50.000
6.500
22.00
820
GUIDE
3D
Six-Banded Armadillo
Giant Armadillo (Priodontes maximus)
Comparison drawing of the Giant Armadillo compared to other armadillos

The Giant Armadillo (Priodontes maximus) feeds on termites and ground invertebrates. It is the largest of the armadillo species living in South America, preferring savanna, tropical rainforests, and semiarid woodlands. This armadillo spots an enlarged central claw with bony scales covering the carapace. The carapace is lighter on the ventral part and black/gray on the dorsal part. The belly is naked, wrinkly, and pink. The head is conical and pentagonal scales cover the legs and tail. The front claws are extremely long for digging termite mold and searching for prey. It has more teeth than any other terrestrial animal.

The Giant Armadillo has a body length in the range of 29.5”-37.8” (75-96 cm) and total weight of 39.7-72.8 lb (18-33 kg). The Giant Armadillo has an estimated standing height between 12.2”-16.1” (31-41 cm), body width of 11.4”-14.6” (29-37 cm), and tail length of 19.7”-23.6” (50-60 cm). The typical lifespan of the Giant Armadillo is between 12-16 years.

Set of scaled side and front drawings of the Giant Armadillo
The Giant Armadillo (Priodontes maximus) feeds on termites and ground invertebrates. It is the largest of the armadillo species living in South America, preferring savanna, tropical rainforests, and semiarid woodlands. This armadillo spots an enlarged central claw with scales covering the carapace.

The Giant Armadillo has a body length in the range of 29.5”-37.8” (75-96 cm) and total weight of 39.7-72.8 lb (18-33 kg). The Giant Armadillo has an estimated standing height between 12.2”-16.1” (31-41 cm), body width of 11.4”-14.6” (29-37 cm), and tail length of 19.7”-23.6” (50-60 cm). The typical lifespan of the Giant Armadillo is between 12-16 years.

Set of scaled side and front drawings of the Giant Armadillo
Giant Armadillo (Priodontes maximus)
Height:
12.2”-16.1” | 31-41 cm
Width:
11.4”-14.6” | 29-37 cm
Length:
29.5”-37.8” | 75-96 cm (Body)
Depth:
Weight:
39.7-72.8 lb | 18-33 kg
Area:

Tail Length: 19.7”-23.6” | 50-60 cm

Scientific Name
Priodontes maximus
Lifespan
12-16 years

Drawings include:

Giant Armadillo side view, front

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