But, contrary to popular belief, only the Southern three-banded armadillo and the Brazilian three-banded armadillo can, like the pangolin, turn into a ball. This armor is made of bony plates, called osteoderms, and protects it from predator attacks. The answer to this question lies in the name of the armadillo itself: in Spanish, its name means “little armored one”. Image Credit: PublicDomainImages, Pixabay What Is the Defensive Behavior of the Armadillo? Its other natural predators are, depending on where the armadillo lives: bears, wolves, pumas, raccoons, dogs, and snakes. Humans are its main predators, which hunt it mainly for its meat and shell. However, some species do not disdain the occasional delight of vertebrates, such as tiny frogs and, yes, even snakes! Which Animals Eat Armadillos? They also feed on small invertebrates, such as earthworms and spiders. Can Armadillos Eat Snakes?įirst, let’s keep in mind that more than 90% of the armadillo’s diet is made up of insects and larvae. They also use their excellent sense of smell to find food since their eyesight is relatively poor. Their long, sticky tongue is their best tool for pulling these invertebrates out of their tunnels. When not sleeping, armadillos use their powerful claws to dig other burrows, but not to make their nests: this is where they find an abundant source of insects, such as ants and termites. Image Credit: hradient, Pixabay Where Do Armadillos Find Their Food?Īrmadillos are burrowing experts: they dig their burrows like a mole, thanks to their short legs, which have curved, sharp claws. Yes, all armadillos eat essentially the same diet – insect, small invertebrates – except for three species, which feed almost entirely on ants and termites: There are 21 species in total so, do they all eat the same thing? The armadillo belongs to the Dasypoda family, divided into three subfamilies: the Dasypodinae, the Euphractinae, and the Tolypeutinae. Do All Armadillo Species Eat the Same Thing? The life expectancy of armadillos in the wild is 7 to 12 years, but it is affected by changes in their natural habitat and hunting, as their meat and shell are of great commercial value. They live in sandy mountains, steppes with shrubs and tall yellow grasses, where they dig their burrows. The general color of the armadillo ranges from dark brown to yellowish-brown.Īrmadillos are solitary animals with generally nocturnal habits, although, during the winter, they move around during the day because they do not like cold temperatures. Its legs are short and terminated in long claws that allow it to dig the ground, make tunnels and caves in it. It has a triangular head which, like his body, is also covered with a protective plate. The armadillo is a very particular land mammal that can be found in tropical and subtropical America. 7-10 years in the wild 12-15 years in captivityĪrmadillos Overview Image Credit: KMcCall, Pixabay
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