FaunaHub

Armadillo

MammalArmouredWild

A nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) foraging, showing its bony armour.

Nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus).

Image: Bernard DUPONT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Overview

Armadillos are small-to-medium mammals of the Americas, recognised by the protective bony plates (a "carapace") covering the body. There are around twenty species. This page is a group-level overview; the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), the most widespread species and the only one found in the United States, is used as a reference. Armadillos are related to sloths and anteaters.

Habitat & Range

Armadillos live in a range of habitats — grasslands, forests, and scrub — across Central and South America, with the nine-banded armadillo's range extending north into the southern United States. They are diggers that use burrows for shelter. Habitat and range vary by species, and the nine-banded armadillo has expanded its range over recent decades.

Diet

Armadillos are mainly insectivores, using a strong sense of smell and powerful claws to dig for insects, grubs, and other invertebrates, and they also take some plant matter and small animals. Their foraging turns over soil. This page describes general feeding ecology, not care or feeding instructions.

Behavior

Armadillos are strong diggers that excavate burrows and forage by rooting in soil and leaf litter, often most active around dawn, dusk, and night. Contrary to popular belief, only certain armadillos (the three-banded armadillos) can fully roll into a ball; most rely on their armour and digging to escape danger. The nine-banded armadillo characteristically gives birth to identical quadruplets. Behaviour varies by species.

Human Interaction & Conservation

Armadillos are wild animals, not pets, and are best left undisturbed. Some species are common and even expanding, while others are threatened by habitat loss and hunting; conservation status varies by species and should be checked against current sources. This page is educational, not care or veterinary advice, and does not encourage handling or keeping armadillos.

Appearance & Recognition

Armadillos are unmistakable, with a leathery, bony shell over the back and sides made of jointed plates, often with movable bands across the middle. They have short legs, strong digging claws, a long snout, and (in most species) a tapering tail. The nine-banded armadillo is named for the bands across its midsection. Size and the number of bands vary across the group.

Similar Animals

Armadillos belong to the group Xenarthra alongside the sloth covered separately on FaunaHub, and anteaters. Their bony armour is unique among living mammals and clearly distinguishes them from other small digging animals such as the unrelated pangolins.

More photos of the armadillo

A nine-banded armadillo on leaf litter.

A nine-banded armadillo foraging.

Image: gailhampshire, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently Asked Questions — Armadillo

Can all armadillos roll into a ball?
No — this is a common misconception. Only the three-banded armadillos can fully roll into a protective ball. Most armadillos instead rely on their armour and on digging or running to escape danger.
What do armadillos eat?
Armadillos are mainly insectivores, digging for insects, grubs, and other invertebrates with their claws and keen sense of smell, and also eating some plant matter and small animals. This page describes general ecology rather than care instructions.
Are armadillos pests or pets?
Armadillos are wild animals, not pets. Their digging can sometimes conflict with gardens or lawns, but they are best managed through habitat-based, humane approaches and left undisturbed. This page is educational, not a care or control guide.

Sources and further reading

Authoritative wildlife references used for general educational context. Conservation status should always be verified against current IUCN Red List data. External links open in a new tab.