Other Common Names: Nine banded, long-nosed armadillo
Anatomy: Nine-banded armadillos weigh from 5.5 to about 14 pounds, but can get up to 22 pounds. One of the largest species of armadillos, they are 15-25 inches in length, and their shell is made up of "ossified dermal scutes". It is a slate grey color.
Diet: Nine-banded armadillos are insectivores, consuming mainly beetles but also eating ants, termites, grubs, and worms. Their noses are sensitive enough to detect through soil up to eight inches deep. They also occasionally eat
Behavior: Nine-banded armadillos are nocturnal mammals, and are also intensive burrowers; one armadillo can have twelve burrows! Once inside their burrow, armadillos are almost invincible to predators, and when out of their burrow it is often the juveniles that get preyed on. Predators include cougars, bears, alligators, bobcats, and coyotes.
Habitat: You may be wondering how their predators live in a wide variety of habitats; this is because these armadillos are found all over the southeast US (as well as the southern Midwest) and their range extends all the way down into Argentina.
Facts: Unlike its three-banded relative, the nine-banded armadillo cannot roll itself into a ball. The reason for it's name is because it has nine distinct bands on it's back.
Anatomy: Nine-banded armadillos weigh from 5.5 to about 14 pounds, but can get up to 22 pounds. One of the largest species of armadillos, they are 15-25 inches in length, and their shell is made up of "ossified dermal scutes". It is a slate grey color.
Diet: Nine-banded armadillos are insectivores, consuming mainly beetles but also eating ants, termites, grubs, and worms. Their noses are sensitive enough to detect through soil up to eight inches deep. They also occasionally eat
Behavior: Nine-banded armadillos are nocturnal mammals, and are also intensive burrowers; one armadillo can have twelve burrows! Once inside their burrow, armadillos are almost invincible to predators, and when out of their burrow it is often the juveniles that get preyed on. Predators include cougars, bears, alligators, bobcats, and coyotes.
Habitat: You may be wondering how their predators live in a wide variety of habitats; this is because these armadillos are found all over the southeast US (as well as the southern Midwest) and their range extends all the way down into Argentina.
Facts: Unlike its three-banded relative, the nine-banded armadillo cannot roll itself into a ball. The reason for it's name is because it has nine distinct bands on it's back.
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