#dasypodidae

[iridescent-wildlife]

Mexican Long-nosed Armadillo (Dasypus mexicanus). Family Dasypodidae, order Cingulata.

I believe these used to be called the Nine-banded Armadillo but was recently reclassified as a different species.

Stroud, Oklahoma, USA. November 2022.

[shadyufo]

I spotted this charming little fellow hunting for snacks in the leaves today. First time I've ever been so close to a live armadillo! They are such neat critters.

[morgansram]

Nine-banded armadillo skull X

[chuck-wills-widow]

Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) November, Rio Grande Valley, TX USA

[daily-xenarthra-posting]

Hairy Long-Nosed Armadillo, photographed by André Bärtschi, (source)

[nkp1981]

Baby Armadillo

Photo: Luis Marcelo Zanlucki

[animalids]

Nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus)

Photo by Barry & Carole Bowden

[uncharismatic-fauna]

The Amazing Nine-Banded Armadillos

If you’ve ever been to the Americas or watched Tom Browning’s 1931 ‘Dracula’, you’ve probably seen the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus). They’re native to South, Central, and southern North America, from Argentina to north Texas, and thus have the largest range of any armadillo species. They are limited mainly by cold weather, which they can survive for short periods by burrowing underground. Due to their large range, nine-banded armadillos thrive in a variety of habitats, including deciduous and tropical forests, grasslands, scrubland, and marshes. Although they are commonly associated with deserts, nine-banded armadillos are not found in dry areas with little water; they prefer to live near bodies of water or in areas with good yearly rainfall.

Although the most well-known characteristic of armadillos is their ability to roll into a ball, this is not an ability granted to all armadillo species. In fact, only two species of the 21 extant armadillos is able to completely curl up. The nine-banded armadillo, like many others, is unable to defend itself this way due to the many plates in its armor. The number of plates on  d. novemcinctus is also variable, ranging from 8 to 11. The scales on the plates grow and wear continuously, providing a protection of thick keratinous skin. Overall, the shell can make up to 16% of the nine-banded armadillos total body weight, which can be from 8 to 16 pounds. Their shell also makes for poor thermoregulation, and as a result nine-banded armadillos have an unusually low body temperature of 86-95 degrees Fahrenheit. 

As with many other armadillo species, d. novemcinctus is nocturnal and primarily carnivorous. Its main source of food is insects, including beetles, grasshoppers, arachnids, and earthworms. They have also been known to prey on anthills, and after having their fill, will roll in the dirt to dislodge any disgruntled ants defending their colony. When their preferred food is scarce, nine-banded armadillos will also feed on small lizards and amphibians, young mammals, bird eggs, and plant matter like fruit. Because they are mainly active at night, their eyesight is poor and they rely mainly on their sense of smell to navigate food, mates, and predators. In fact, the nine-banded armadillo’s sense of smell is so keen that it can smell prey 20 cm below the surface of the ground.

Nine-banded armadillos burrow not just for prey, but for nesting as well. In fact, most individuals have several burrows that they use for different purposes, each with several entrances. Typically nine-banded armadillos are solitary, and only nest together when breeding. This is also one of the only times they make sounds; a distinctive chucking Interestingly, after mating only a single ovum is fertilized, and then the ovum separates into four identical embryos. The quadruplets are born 4 months after mating, and are fairly well developed, although their armor doesn’t harden for several more weeks. The mother only provides milk for 2-3 weeks after her young emerge from the burrow, and within a year the offspring move on to establish their own territories.

Conservation status: not threatened. In fact, the population and range of nine-banded armadillos is increasing, particularly into North America. Although their need for water prevents them from entering the southwestern deserts, they have expanded their territory to the central and eastern United States. In some areas, they are considered an invasive species, although no research exists on their impacts in introduced environments.