According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the scientific name for armadillos is Dasypodidae. This is the name of the family to which they belong. Within the family of armadillos, there are many different species of them, each having its own scientific name. For example, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, there is only one type of armadillo that is found in the United States. (Dasypus novemcinctus). According to Infoplease.com, the scientific name for the largest type of armadillo is Priodontes giganteus. (It can be up to 4 feet long and weight up to 100 pounds!)

An armadillo isn't a reptile, even though it has a shell. The scientific name, however, is Dasypodidan. The word Xenarthran reffers to armadillos, anteaters, sloths, and pangolins.
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An armadillo needs its shell to camouflage itself from predators like acoyote. When an armadillo rolls up into a ball, it looks like a rock because of its hard shell.

With the exception of a rare, small species of armadillo in the Patagonian Desert, most armadillos avoid the desert and prefer grassland and scrub. The armadillo's diet consists mostly of insects.

Armadillos have excellent hearing and the distance would depend upon the frequency of the sound.

some species of armadillo can roll into a ball


Of the 20 known species of Armadillo, only one rolls up to protect iself; and that is the three banded armadillo from South America.

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The pangolin is similar to the armadillo, but the two animals are classified a little differently than the "looks" may suggest. A link is provided to the Wikipedia article on the pangolin. Surf on over, even if it's just to check out the pics.

Yes. An armadillo can stay under water and hold its breath for 6 or 8 minutes. It does this by gulping in water until it gets heavy enough to sink, and breathes in air in order to float back up.

Yes. They are the only mammals besides Man known to be able to carry the leprosy virus. Recent research indicates that armadillos and human victims of leprosy are the only ones to naturally share a particular bacterium that can cause leprosy. Interestingly, not all species of armadillos seem to carry the virus. People in Texas and other southern U.S. States have been infected with the disease as a result of handling of nine-banded armadillos. This has not occurred whe people have handled the five-banded armadillo.

by using long claws to part the sand and soften it.

According Florida statute 724.58 article 5c, it is perfectly legal to kill an armadillo if it is causing damage to property

They are primarily hunters but any animal will take advantage of a "free lunch" and eat carrion when it presents itself. Some think armadillos do not actually eat carrion but are attracted to the maggots that take over the dead bodies.

The armadillo would roam about as the creature foraged for food.

Yes, armadillos are omnivores. The diet of different armadillo species varies, but consists mainly of insects, grubs, and other invertebrates. Some species, however, feed almost entirely on ants and termites.

Like all other xenarthran lineages, armadillos originated in South America. Due to the continent's former isolation, they were confined there for most of the Cenozoic.

Height depends on the species. The smallest, the pink fairy armadillo, is just a few inches tall while the giant armadillo may approach 2 feet in height. Most species are about 8-12 inches as adults.

Armadillos are usually foraging for food almost every waking minute.

Other than the communication through touching that goes on between mothers and their young and between mates, we do not think that Giant Armadillos communicate with each other. They are mainly soltiary animals.

Armadillos use their claws to burrow underground where they live. Their tunnels are made only the width of their body and go one way.

armadillo not live in very hot climate or in cold climate they live in mid type of climate in south and central america

Armadillos live in a variety of habitats but avoid regions with a severely cold winter and deserts. This includes grasslands, savanna, forests and scrub. The nine-banded armadillo prefers to build burrows in moist soil near the creeks, streams, and arroyos around which it lives and feeds.

Currently, the only armadillo species listed as endangered and that is the giant armadillo. It is endangered because of over hunting for food or for sale on the live animal market. It also suffers from habitat loss resulting from deforestation.A few other species may be endangered but are not listed as such because their status requires additional investigation.

Some states allow it, some do not, Check your local laws.