Armadillos
Diversity and Distribution
Armadillos are a group of animals that contain 20 different species. They can be found from South America all the way up to the southern part of the United States. The most common armadillo Dasypus novemcintus, the nine-banded armadillo, can be found from the southern part of the United States all the way to Peru and the northwestern part of the South American. The Dasypus kappleri or great long-nosed armadillo is found east of the Andes Mountains in the countries of Colombia, Bolivia, and Brazil. The Dasypus pilosus or hairy long-nosed armadillo is isolated and only found in the mountains of southern Peru. The seven banded armadillo or Dasypus septemcinctus is found in Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and the northern part of Argentina.
The Dasypus hybridus or southern long-nosed armadillo is found in southern Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. The many other species of armadillos are found throughout lower central America and South America.(Bonato,2008)
Morphology
Armadillos are very unique mammals. They can range in size from 5 inches to 5 feet in length. They also can weight from 3 ounces to 120 pounds. Armadillos have short and strong legs that are adapted to burrowing or digging. Their legs are very muscular and can be used very efficiently for swimming. Armadillos have four toes present on their front feet and five toes on their hind feet.(McDonough,1997) They walk on the tips of their feet and only leave three-toed tracks that are often mistaken for bird tracks. All of the armadillo’s toes contain claws that are very distinct and well developed and aid the creatures to be fast and efficient diggers. They use their ability to dig to avoid trouble from predators and shelter, but they also use their claws to dig up food sources such as insects in a dead log.
All species of armadillos have shells that cover their back from below their heads to the beginning of their tail. These shells are composed of plates of true bone and
Armadillos are a group of animals that contain 20 different species. They can be found from South America all the way up to the southern part of the United States. The most common armadillo Dasypus novemcintus, the nine-banded armadillo, can be found from the southern part of the United States all the way to Peru and the northwestern part of the South American. The Dasypus kappleri or great long-nosed armadillo is found east of the Andes Mountains in the countries of Colombia, Bolivia, and Brazil. The Dasypus pilosus or hairy long-nosed armadillo is isolated and only found in the mountains of southern Peru. The seven banded armadillo or Dasypus septemcinctus is found in Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and the northern part of Argentina.
The Dasypus hybridus or southern long-nosed armadillo is found in southern Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. The many other species of armadillos are found throughout lower central America and South America.(Bonato,2008)
Morphology
Armadillos are very unique mammals. They can range in size from 5 inches to 5 feet in length. They also can weight from 3 ounces to 120 pounds. Armadillos have short and strong legs that are adapted to burrowing or digging. Their legs are very muscular and can be used very efficiently for swimming. Armadillos have four toes present on their front feet and five toes on their hind feet.(McDonough,1997) They walk on the tips of their feet and only leave three-toed tracks that are often mistaken for bird tracks. All of the armadillo’s toes contain claws that are very distinct and well developed and aid the creatures to be fast and efficient diggers. They use their ability to dig to avoid trouble from predators and shelter, but they also use their claws to dig up food sources such as insects in a dead log.
All species of armadillos have shells that cover their back from below their heads to the beginning of their tail. These shells are composed of plates of true bone and