Armadillos, whose name translates to "little armored ones" in Spanish, are New World placental mammals belonging to the order Cingulata. These unique creatures, part of the superorder Xenarthra along with anteaters and sloths, are known for their distinctive leathery armor shell and sharp claws, which they use for digging. With 21 extant species, armadillos are native to the Americas, inhabiting a variety of environments. Their diets consist mainly of insects, grubs, and other invertebrates, which they hunt using their keen sense of smell.
Armadillo Characteristics and Distribution
Living armadillos are characterized by their armor shell and long, sharp claws for digging. Though they have short legs, they can move quite quickly. The average armadillo length is about 75 cm (30 in), including the tail, but sizes vary greatly. The giant armadillo can grow up to 150 cm (59 in) and weigh up to 54 kg (119 lb), while the pink fairy armadillo is only 13-15 cm (5-6 in) long.
These mammals originated in South America during the early Eocene epoch, around 52-55 million years ago. Due to the continent's former isolation, they were confined there for most of the Cenozoic. Today, all extant armadillo species are still present in South America, particularly diverse in Paraguay and surrounding areas. Some species are endangered, while others, like the four species of Dasypus, are widely distributed over the Americas. The nine-banded armadillo has expanded its range into the United States, primarily in the south-central states, due to a lack of natural predators.
Physical Attributes and Adaptations
Armadillos, in general, have low body temperatures of 33-36 °C (91-97 °F) and low basal metabolic rates. Most species have rigid shields over the shoulders and hips, with a number of bands separated by flexible skin covering the back and flanks. Additional armor covers the top of the head, the upper parts of the limbs, and the tail. The underside of the animal is never armored, covered instead with soft skin and fur. This armor-like skin is an important defense, though most armadillos escape predators by fleeing or digging to safety.
Armadillos have five clawed toes on their hind feet and three to five toes with heavy digging claws on their forefeet. They have numerous cheek teeth but usually no incisors or canines. When threatened, Tolypeutes species often roll up into a ball, while other species cannot due to having too many plates.
Read also: Diet and Feeding: Armadillo Girdled Lizard
General Dietary Habits
The diets of different armadillo species vary but mainly consist of insects, grubs, and other invertebrates. Armadillos are omnivores, meaning they consume both plant and animal matter. Insects make up the bulk of their diet, potentially constituting nearly 75% of what they eat. However, there is significant variance in dietary habits among different species; some are generalists, while others are specialist hunters. Although they prefer live prey, armadillos are not opposed to eating carrion.
Armadillos have a poor eyesight, relying on their keen sense of smell to hunt for food. They use their claws not only for digging and finding food but also for digging burrows for their dwellings. They are prolific diggers, and many species use their sharp claws to dig for food, such as grubs, and to dig dens.
Hunting and Foraging Techniques
When hunting and foraging, armadillos rely heavily on their senses. Their poor eyesight is compensated by a keen sense of smell, allowing them to detect prey and other morsels located inches below the ground. Additionally, they have strong hearing abilities, though they primarily use this sense to avoid predators. Long hairs on their undersides act like whiskers, sensitive to touch and allowing them to feel their environment.
Armadillos mostly find food by digging through dirt and soil, using their sharp claws to sift through the ground. They can dig out a burrow in about 15 minutes, enabling them to quickly find food located a few inches below ground.
Specific Foods in the Armadillo Diet
Here are some foods that occur frequently in an armadillo’s diet:
Read also: The Hoxsey Diet
- Insects: The primary component of most armadillo diets.
- Termites: A favorite food for many species, with some armadillos consuming up to 200,000 in a single day.
- Ants: Another staple, especially for specialist species like the giant armadillo.
- Grubs: Larval insects found underground.
- Cockroaches: Readily consumed when available.
- Grasshoppers: A common insect prey.
- Beetles: Various species of beetles and their larvae.
- Wasps: Though potentially dangerous, armadillos will eat wasps and their larvae.
- Spiders: A source of protein.
- Scorpions: Eaten despite their venomous sting.
- Snails: A slow-moving and easily accessible food source.
- Small Amphibians and Reptiles: Such as snakes and frogs.
- Bird and Reptile Eggs: A nutritious meal when accessible.
- Mushrooms: A source of nutrients found while foraging.
- Fruits: A supplementary food source, depending on the species and availability.
- Vegetables: Consumed opportunistically.
- Seeds: Another plant-based food source.
- Carrion: Although they prefer live prey, armadillos will eat carrion when necessary.
Wild vs. Captive Diets
In the wild, armadillos eat just about anything they can catch or find. They are opportunistic eaters, but certain species show preferences toward particular foods. Some specifically target ants and termites, while others consume a wider variety of insects, invertebrates, and plant matter. In total, armadillos have been reported eating over 500 different foods.
In captivity, armadillos are typically fed a predominantly insectivorous diet. This includes a variety of insects such as grasshoppers, ants, termites, beetles, and grubs. Many zoos also supplement their diet with a limited amount of fruit. Depending on the species, some armadillos may require a more specific diet, such as a large number of ants and termites for giant armadillos, southern three-banded armadillos, and pink fairy armadillos.
Diet of Baby Armadillos
Baby armadillos, called pups, are born with soft, leathery shells. The mother nurses the pups for 2 to 4 months, after which they begin to eat the same food as adult armadillos. Female armadillos can give birth to anywhere from 1 to 12 pups at a time, depending on the species, with the nine-banded armadillo almost always giving birth to identical quadruplets.
Armadillos as Pests and Their Ecological Role
Armadillos can be both beneficial and a nuisance. They consume insects, sometimes unwanted ones like ants or termites, but their digging behavior can damage flower beds, gardens, and lawns. They also can carry diseases potentially harmful to pets or people.
Despite being considered pests by some, armadillos are important predators of many insect agricultural pests. Additionally, these mammals are used for medical research for diseases like leprosy due to their low body temperature, which allows them to host the disease.
Read also: Walnut Keto Guide