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Home | Animals | Mammals | Edentata | Hairy Armadillo
Hairy Armadillo
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Cingulata |
| Family: | Dasypodidae |
| Genus: | Chaetophractus |
| Species: | C. vellerosus |
Description
Armadillos are one of the oldest groups of mammals. Their closest relatives are anteaters and sloths. The entire upperside of the body is armoured with bony plates (scutes) that form in the dermis of the skin, and which are covered with small scales. Armadillos are the only living mammals in which bone formation occurs outside the “traditional” skeleton. These animals are well adapted for digging and foraging in the undergrowth and have short legs, long powerful claws, and pointed snouts.
Habitat
Open high-altitude grasslands.
Defense
uses its powerful forearms in self-defense. If it is threatened in a tree it grasps a branch with its hind feet and tail, leaving its arms and long, curved claws free for combat. If attacked on the ground, this anteater backs up against a rock or a tree and grabs the opponent with its forearms.
Range
Bolivia, northern Chile and northern Argentina
Fun Facts!
- The armadillo is nocturnal.
- It squeals when threatened.