A combination of bone and a tough tissue coating, its shell is called a carapace (which, by the way, is the same term for a turtle's shell). The key to the three-banded armadillo's defense mechanism is in its shell. North America only is home to the non-balling, nine-banded armadillo. ![]() Remember, though, that you won't witness an armadillo pull this stunt on the side of the road in the United States. Since the top of the head and the tail are armored as well, the end result leaves virtually no exposed flesh for a predator to hurt. It then curls its tail beside the head and pulls in tight. Folding its body in half, the three-banded armadillo tucks its head and legs into its shell. It is the only type of armadillo that can roll itself into a ball when endangered. The three-banded armadillo has another trick up its armor, however. Since the armadillo can't inflict a wounding bite or do much damage with its claws, how can it protect itself? In the United States, larger enemies include mountain lions, bears and coyotes. Nevertheless, it still has a handful of predators that can strike at its soft, unprotected belly. The armadillo's outer shell makes it look tough, at least to humans. Despite its petite size, the pink fairy armadillo still has a tough shell shielding its head and back. This species is as diminutive as it sounds - it's barely 3 ounces and less than 4 inches (10 centimeters) long. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there's Argentina's pink fairy armadillo. Although it loses many stubby teeth throughout its lifetime, the species can have up to 100 at one time. You wouldn't want to foot the bill for a giant armadillo's trip to the dentist. At the top of the pack is the giant armadillo, weighing in at a hefty 70 pounds (31 kilograms) and measuring up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) from head to tail. Southern three-banded armadillos are one of only two types of armadillo that can roll completely into a ball for protection.You'll find a lot of diversity in size and form within the armadillo order, Cingulata. Their shells are made of keratin, which is the same material as human fingernails. To eat, they collect ants and termites on their long, sticky tongues. Some fun facts about three-banded armadillos: they have poor eyesight but a great sense of smell and are efficient burrowers. Primary threats include habitat destruction as native grasslands are converted to farms and hunting and capture for the pet trade. They are listed as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. ![]() Southern three-banded armadillos are native to the southern interior of South America. The SSP looks at the genetic makeup of each prospective parent before recommending a pairing this helps ensure diversity of armadillos in North American zoos. The pup’s birth is the result of a breeding recommendation for Scooter and Vespa by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan® (SSP) for Southern three-banded armadillos. Mother and pup will be viewable by zoo guests during Close Encounters once the pup is old enough. The 2-week-old pup is beginning to open her eyes and will remain behind-the-scenes in the Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater area of the zoo while she nurses and bonds with her mother. At 2-weeks-old, the pup weighs half-a-pound and can fit into the palm of your hand. “Vespa is a natural at parenting and caring for her pup,” said O’Keefe. ![]() “She’d even let us feel her belly without curling up in a ball, allowing us to give her the care she needed.”įor two days following the birth, keepers observed mom and pup 24/7 to ensure the pup was getting necessary nourishment from Vespa. “Vespa was trained to allow us to give her voluntary ultrasounds throughout her pregnancy,” said O’Keefe. Keepers monitored mom Vespa’s behavior around the clock leading up to the birth. “We’re thrilled to welcome this pup into our animal family,” added assistant curator Maureen O’Keefe. “She is healthy and the perfect little replica of her parents,” said the zoo’s head veterinarian Dr. The pup is the first healthy armadillo pup born at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in its 116-year history. Southern three-banded armadillos Vespa and Scooter welcomed a female pup into the world in late October, making them both first-time parents. UPDATE: : The pup has a name! Keepers named the pup “Segway.” Read more here.
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