{"id":9641,"date":"2021-10-09T15:21:55","date_gmt":"2021-10-09T15:21:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/?page_id=9641"},"modified":"2022-03-31T21:29:54","modified_gmt":"2022-03-31T21:29:54","slug":"armadillo","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/armadillo\/","title":{"rendered":"Armadillo: Key Facts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Did you know that one type of armadillo can roll itself into a fully armored ball? Or that another armadillo species can grow to be nearly 5 feet long and weigh 100 pounds? Keep reading to learn more armadillo key facts like these!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Facts About Armadillos<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Scientific Name<\/strong><\/td>Cingulata<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
Number of Species<\/strong><\/td>20<\/td><\/tr>
Physical Description<\/strong><\/td>Ground-dwelling mammal covered in gray body armor. The armor is made of bone and covered in hairy spikes. Armadillos have triangular-shaped heads which they use for digging and burrowing in the ground<\/a>. They have sharp claws on their paws which also aid in digging. They have long, ringed tails which help with balance.<\/td><\/tr>
Distribution<\/strong><\/td>North, Central, and South America<\/td><\/tr>
Habitat<\/strong><\/td>Varies by species and region. May inhabit grasslands, forested lowlands, deserts, rainforests, and scrublands.<\/td><\/tr>
Average Size<\/strong><\/td>Varies by species.
– Average length: 3.5 inches to 59 inches
– Average weight: 4 ounces to 100 pounds<\/td><\/tr>
Average Lifespan<\/strong><\/td>12 to 15 years<\/td><\/tr>
Diet<\/strong><\/td>Omnivore; some favorite foods<\/a> include:
– Earthworms, grubs, other insects
– Spiders and scorpions
– Small reptiles
– Fruits, leafy greens, and seeds
– Carrion<\/td><\/tr>
Largest Species<\/strong><\/td>Giant armadillo<\/td><\/tr>
Smallest Species<\/strong><\/td>Pink fairy armadillo<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How High Can an Armadillo Jump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When armadillos get spooked or feel threatened<\/a>, they may jump into the air before running off. Though most armadillos only jump a few inches to a foot in the air, some may jump as high as 5 or six feet.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The three-banded armadillo, native to South America, jumps a couple of inches before rolling into a ball, as you can see in the following video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-x71UlnYVEU<\/a>