Armadillo, (family Dasypodidae), any of various armoured mammals found mainly in tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America.
Most of the 20 species inhabit open areas, such as grasslands, but some also live in forests.
All armadillos possess a set of plates called the carapace that covers much of the body, including the head and, in most species, the legs and tail.
In all but one species the carapace is nearly hairless.
The carapace is made of bony transverse bands covered with tough scales that are derived from skin tissue. The three-, six-, and nine-banded armadillos are named for the number of movable bands in their armour. Only one species, the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), is found in the United States. Its range has expanded into several southern states since it was first observed in Texas during the 1800s. Eight-banded individuals of this species are common in some regions. Southernmost armadillo species include the pichi (Zaedyus pichiy), a common resident of Argentine Patagonia, and the larger hairy armadillo (Chaetophractus villosus), which ranges far into southern Chile.
What the armadillo looks like
The armadillo is an armoured mammal commonly found in Central and South America.Its body is covered by a carapace to protect it from predators. Its carapace is made up of skin tissues that have hardened up.
About the Author
Hi, I’m Reu Caleb M. Mercado; people call me Caleb. It’s pronounced (ka leb) and I don’t like people calling me (kay leb). I live in the Philippines.
I am 10 years old, and I study at Cavite State University Child Development Center. My hobby is to play table tennis, solve Rubik’s cubes, and play games.