Armadillos are well known for their hard shell covering their body which is made out of keratin, the same protein that builds human fingernails. They are typically a yellowy brownish colour and are among the smaller armadillos, with a head-and-body length of about 22 to 27 cm.
Unlike most armadillos, Southern Three banded armadillos won’t dig their own burrows but will instead use abandoned giant anteater burrows. Despite this they are well adapted for digging with 4 separate claws on their front feet for foraging in the dirt for food. They then have a long, sticky, straw-like pink tongue that allows it to gather up and eat many different species of insects, most commonly ants and termites.
IUCN Red List status: Near Threatened
This species is probably in significant decline (at a rate of less than 30% over ten years) because of widespread habitat loss through much of its range, and because of exploitation for food, thus making the species close to qualifying for Vulnerable.
Diet
Group Name
Distribution & Habitat
Insectivore:
The 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
A Roll
Distribution:
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil & Paraguay
Habitat: Shrubland & Savannah
Fun Fact