These armadillos prefer warm, wet climates and live in forested, grassland, wetland, and woodland habitats. Their range covers Southern North America through Argentina. The nine-banded armadillo is the most widespread armadillo species, and the only armadillo native to the United States. Nine-banded armadillos are nocturnal and spend their waking time burrowing or feeding. The wiry hairs on an armadillo’s sides and belly, similar to “curb feelers” on a car, can help it sense prey underneath it. The armadillos’ long, curved claws help them to dig up prey, and like most insect eating mammals, their tongues are very long and sticky to slurp up insects quickly. They can even stand on their hind legs to get a better vantage point for smelling. Their sense of smell is their best sense, being able to smell invertebrates that are 8 inches below the surface. Insects make up 75% of an armadillo’s diet, while the other 25% consists of of small reptiles, amphibians, and even plant matter (fruits, seeds, fungi). ![]() Nine-banded armadillos are generalist feeders and use their sense of smell to track down almost 500 different foods, most of which are invertebrates. The young will nurse up to 60 days before the mother weans it, however, they young may remain with the mother for several months. Gestation lasts 4 months after which the female will almost always give birth to 4 identical quadruplets. Breeding occurs once a year in the summer months. Their primary diet consists of 75% insects and the other 25% consists of small reptiles, amphibians, and even plant matter (fruits, seeds, fungi). Although named the “nine-banded”, these armadillos can have anywhere from 7-11 bands. Nine-banded armadillos are blackish-brown to grey in coloration with yellowish white hair on its underside.Īrmadillos are the only mammals covered by an outer body of armor made up of bony plates. They can get in length up to 2.5 feet long (from nose to tip of tail) and weigh up to 15 pounds. Nine banded armadillos can be found in Northern Argentina through Southern United States and are the only species of armadillo found in the United States. ![]() ![]() For more information, please reach out to and General Information This includes scheduled events or programs such as daily animal mingles, private onsite programs, and zoo reaches. NOTE: Education Animals are “behind-the-scenes” animals & only appear to the public during Educational events.
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