La Plata three-banded armadillo, Southern three-banded armadillo, La plata three-banded armadillo, Azara's domed armadillo
The southern three-banded armadillo (Tolypeutes matacus ), also known as La Plata three-banded armadillo or Azara's domed armadillo, is an armadillo species from South America. It is found in parts of southwestern Brazil, northern Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia, at elevations from sea level to 770 m (2,530 ft).
The southern three-banded armadillo and the other member of the genus Tolypeutes, the Brazilian three-banded armadillo, are the only species of armadillos capable of rolling into a complete ball to defend themselves (volvation). The three characteristic bands that cover the back of the animal allow it enough flexibility to fit its tail and head together, allowing it to protect its underbelly, limbs, eyes, nose and ears from predators. The shell covering its body is armored and the outer layer is made out of keratin, the same protein that builds human fingernails. They are typically a yellow or brownish color. They are among the smaller armadillos, with a head-and-body length of about 22 to 27 cm (8.7 to 10.6 in) and a weight between 1 and 1.6 kg (2.2 and 3.5 lb). Unlike most armadillos, they are not fossorial, but will use abandoned giant anteater burrows.
The three-banded armadillo has a long, sticky, straw-like pink tongue that allows it to gather up and eat many different species of insects, typically ants and termites. In captivity, armadillos also eat foods such as fruits and vegetables.
The species is threatened by habitat destruction from conversion of its native Dry Chaco to farmland, and from hunting for food and the pet trade.
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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InsectivoresAn insectivore is a carnivorous plant or animal that eats insects. An alternative term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of e...
Myrmecophagy is a feeding behavior defined by the consumption of termites or ants, particularly as pertaining to those animal species whose diets a...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
Among animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
A burrow is a hole or tunnel excavated into the ground by an animal to create a space suitable for habitation, temporary refuge, or as a byproduct ...
A fossorial animal is one adapted to digging which lives primarily but not solely, underground. Some examples are badgers, naked mole-rats, clams, ...
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Generally solitaryGenerally solitary animals are those animals that spend their time separately but will gather at foraging areas or sleep in the same location or sh...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withSouthern three-banded armadillos are the only species of armadillos that can roll into a complete ball to defend themselves. They have three bands that cover the back of the animal, its tail and head together. This allows it to protect its underbelly, limbs, eyes, nose and ears from predators. The shell covering its body is armored and the outer layer is made out of keratin. Southern three-banded armadillos have three middle toes on the back feet. They are grown together and have a thick claw. The forefeet toes are seperated and have 4 claws. These armadillos are typically a yellow or brownish color.
Southern three-banded armadillos occur in South America. They are found in parts of northern Argentina, southwestern Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia. These animals inhabit grasslands or marshes near dry forests or savannah areas.
Southern three-banded armadillos are generally solitary creatures. Although they do occasionally group together during cold weather. Unlike most armadillos, they are not fossorial, they do not dig their own burrows. These animals like to use abandoned anteater burrows, or they make their dens under dense vegetation. When foraging these Southern armadillos use their strong legs and large claws. They dig through insect colonies or under bark to get to their food. They have a long, sticky, straw-like pink tongue that helps them then to gather up and eat those insects. When threatened Southern three-banded armadillos roll into a ball. This way they protect themselves.
These armadillos are carnivores (insectivores). They feed on different species of insects, typically ants and termites.
Little is known about the mating system and reproductive behavior of Southern three-banded armadillos. It is known that most of the young are born from November-January but births occur throughout the year. Females give birth to a single pup. Young are born blind but quickly develop and learn to close their shells and walk. They become completley independent after 72 days. Southern three-banded armadillos become reproductively mature at 9-12 months of age.
Main threats to Southern three-banded armadillos are habitat destruction from the conversion of its native Dry Chaco (natural region divided among eastern Bolivia, western Paraguay, northern Argentina and a portion of the Brazilian states) to farmland, hunting for food and the pet trade.
The IUCN Red List and other sources do not provide the Southern three-banded armadillo total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Near Threatend (NT) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are decreasing.
