Aug 17, 2017
Giant armadillos, predictably, dig giant burrows, which average 35 centimeters in diameter. These massive burrows have proven of vital importance to other local species, serving as dens, hiding places, shelter from heat or rain, and feeding grounds. Over two dozen other species have been found using the giant armadillo’s abandoned burrows, including rare animals like the short-eared dog. Because it alters the local ecosystem in a way that benefits other species, the giant armadillo is considered an ecosystem engineer, and its existence is considered vital for the other animals in the area.
