Category: Wildlife
Armadillos inhabit a variety of habitats, including grasslands, rainforests, deserts, swamps, and mountains in Central and South America. One species, the nine-banded armadillo, is found in the central United States. Armadillos feed mainly on insects, particularly termites and ants, although they also eat plants and fruit. Their average lifespan ranges from 9 to 23 years, depending on their species.
Armadillo
Armadillos belong to the Dasypodidae family. There are 20 species of armadillos, including the nine-banded armadillo, the giant armadillo, the common long-nosed armadillo, and the Brazilian three-banded armadillo.
Armadillos vary widely in terms of size and coloring, but all species have bony armor covering their body. They also have a pointy snout, small eyes, powerful legs, and long front claws which help them dig. Their sticky tongues help them catch insects. Armadillos come in a variety of colors, including brown, salmon, yellow, gray, and red. Adult armadillos range in size from 5 to 59 inches and weigh between 3 ounces and 120 pounds.
Most armadillo species breed beginning in spring or summer. The length of gestation and the number of offspring in a litter depend on the species, although the litter size is typically one to three for many species. Mothers help care for their young until they are old enough to forage on their own.
