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DISTRIBUTION
The range of the Southern Three-banded armadillo
is Central and eastern Bolivia, the Mato Grasso of central Brazil,
Chaco region of Paraguay, and northern and central Argentina.
Tolypeutes matacus is found in
grassy or marshy areas between scattered forestland. The animal
does not appear to dig its own burrows, but instead uses abandoned
anteater burrows as shelter. |
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DESCRIPTION
The word "armadillo" is of Spanish origin and refers to the
armor-like covering of these animals. The skin is modified
to form a double-layered covering of horn and bone over many
of the surfaces. Three-banded armadillos are blackish brown
in color. Most animals have three moveable bands, although
some possess only two, and others may have four. |
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| Members of the genus Tolypeutes
are the only armadillos that can completely enclose
themselves in their own shell by rolling into a ball.
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GOING! |
GOING! |
GONE! |
The lower surfaces are covered
with soft-haired skin. Sometimes hair projects from under
the side plates.
The large front and rear portions of
the shell are not attached to the skin on the sides, providing
ample free space to fit the head, legs and tail into the shell
when the animals are rolled up. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th toes
of the hind foot are grown together, almost like a hoof. The
1st and 5th toes remain separate. T. matacus has four toes
on the fore foot. The claws on the forefeet are very strong.
Three-banded armadillos generally walk on the tips of the
foreclaws, even when running. The tail is short and thick.
The middle three toes on the hind feet
are grown together and have a think claw. The forefeet toes
are separated and have 4 claws. Each jaw has 9 peg-like cylindrical
teeth. An armadillo walks on the soles of its hind feet, but
on the tips of its claws on their forefeet.. |
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DIET
Three-banded armadillos principally eat beetle
larvae, although ants and termites are an important portion of the
diet during the dry season (July to November). Insects are obtained
by burrowing into ground nests or under the bark of rotting trees.
The animals also include a significant amount of fruit in their
diet during the wet season.. |
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LIFE CYCLE/SOCIAL BEHAVIORS
Mating occurs in May or June with young born
from November to January, although births have been reported throughout
the year. The gestation period is 5 to 6 months. When born, the
offspring look like little adults, and within a few days their skin
hardens into "armor." After about 72 days it no longer depends upon
its mother. Longevity is 12 to 15 years.
Photo courtesy Andi Apodaca |
Photo courtesy Andi Apodaca |
The Pueblo
Zoo has a new baby Southern Three-banded Armadillo
(click images for larger
view) |
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SOME INTERESTING FACTS
1. Three-banded are hunted and eaten by South
Americans for their meat and white fat.
2. Fossils of armadillos date back 60 million
years.
3. The armor on the three-banded armadillo
is very thick. This helps it conserve its body water in its dry
forest and savanna habitat in central South America. |
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