![]() ![]() ![]() After leaving its mother’s care, a young southern three-banded armadillo may share a home range with its mother for a short time. Young armadillos are raised by the female only, and are independent in just 72 days. The infant armadillo looks like a smaller version of the adult, but has softer scutes. After a 120-day gestation period, females give birth to one offspring. After mating, each quickly returns to its own burrow. Males and females may have overlapping home ranges that help them find mates. Not much is known about three-banded armadillo reproduction and raising of young. Their defense strategy of curling into a ball makes these armadillos easy for humans to catch, meaning that humans can potentially become a major threat to southern three-banded armadillos. Southern three-banded armadillos are occasionally hunted by people for food, scute collecting, or the pet trade. Because their predators are mainly nocturnal, young armadillos will venture out in the late afternoon to return to the safety of their burrows earlier in the evening. However, large mammals like jaguars and maned wolves can successfully hunt members of this species. The bony armor of three-banded armadillos protects them from most animals. Small gaps between the curled-up armadillo’s scutes can pinch the skin or fingers of predators that try to pry open this potential meal. When threatened, a southern three-banded armadillo can roll completely into a ball, shielding its soft belly. In southern three-banded armadillos, this protective adaptation goes a step further. The bony plates (scutes) of armadillos make them instantly recognizable. If none are available, they will make temporary nests out of grasses and leaves. Southern three-banded armadillos rarely dig their own burrows, prefering to take over the abandoned burrows of other animals. During the day these armadillos rest in burrows to keep cool and safe. Thanks to this armor, three-banded armadillos can move around confidently each night in search of ants and termites. Southern three-banded armadillos are small mammals covered in an armor of hard, bony plates called scutes. Southern three-banded armadillos rarely dig their. Although mainly nocturnal, armadillos may be a bit more active during the day when the weather is cooler. Southern three-banded armadillos are small mammals covered in an armor of hard, bony plates called scutes. They can also be found in and around agricultural fields. Southern three-banded armadillos are found primarily in dry forests and grasslands of Argentina, Boiva, Brazil, and Paraguay. Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion.When the predator inserts a claw or snout into this gap in an attempt to reach the soft body parts, the armadillo quickly closes it, causing pain and possibly injury to the predator. As an additional defense, while curled up, the southern three-banded armadillo will leave a small gap between the edges of the body shells open. When threatened, this species is capable of running remarkably quickly to escape, commonly curling into a ball, which even strong-jawed predators such as dogs are unable to break open. This species is hunted throughout its range by man for its meat and is an important food source in some areas. This shell is also very efficient at trapping air, which is warmed by body heat, and thus conserves heat loss. They can completely close their shell around the entire body. They use their strong legs and large claws to dig through insect colonies or under bark to get to their food. The species has a broad diet, composed of a variety of invertebrates, particularly beetle larvae, which are taken throughout the year, along with large quantities of ants and termites during the dry season (July to November), and fruits during the summer rains. The fore feet toes are separated and have 4 claws. The middle three toes on the back feet are grown together and have a thick claw. This armor covers the tail, head, feet, and back of the animal. They are dark brown and heavily armored with a thick, leathery shell that is usually segmented into 3 bands.
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