Armadillos (Spanish for 'little armored ones') are New World placental mammals in the order Cingulata. They form part of the superorder Xenarthra, along with the anteaters and sloths. 21 extant species of armadillo have been described, some of which are distinguished by the number of bands on their armor.

Though they seem scaled, like a reptile, armadillos are actually mammals. They are warm-blooded, have hair, give live birth, and nurse their babies with milk. Their name comes from their thick leathery skin, and means “little armored one” in Spanish. Read on to …

Oct 7, 2022 · Some people think armadillos are amphibians or reptiles, but they’re not. They’re mammals. Armadillos eat many insects, including fire ants. Only the three-banded armadillo and Brazilian armadillo curl up into armored balls when they’re threatened. They …

Feb 8, 2025 · armadillo, (family Dasypodidae), any of various armoured mammals found mainly in tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America. Most of the 20 species inhabit open areas, such as grasslands, but some also live in forests.

Armadillos are known for their armored bodies and their ability to curl up into tight balls to defend themselves from predators. They are fast diggers with pointy snouts and long tongues that allow them to search for insects underground. Their bellies are the most vulnerable part of their bodies.

The Armadillo is a mammal in the order Cingulata. Its name is a Spanish term that means “little armored ones”, a nod to both the size and thick shell of these animals. There are 21 species still in existence today, distinguished by the bands on the armor. 1. There’s a lot to know about this interesting mammal, particularly due to its ...

May 27, 2024 · “The armadillo is the only known mammal to have a fully developed shell.” Resembling an armor-plated vehicle, the armadillo is outfitted with formidable protection against its natural adversaries and predators, which are unable to pierce the tough hide.

Nov 11, 2023 · Armadillos belong to the family Dasypodidae and Chlamyphoridae, the only two surviving lineages of the order Cingulata. Above this classification is the superorder Xenarthra, which includes sloths and anteaters. There are 21 living species of armadillos, classified under four subfamilies: Dasypodinae, Chlamyphorinae, Euphractinae, and Tolypeutinae.

Jun 18, 2024 · Armadillos: mammals in the superorder Xenarthra. Armadillos form part of the superorder Xenarthra along with anteaters and sloths. There are 21 extant species of armadillo, some of which are...

Armadillos are the only living mammals that wear such shells. Closely related to anteaters and sloths, armadillos generally have a pointy or shovel-shaped snout and small eyes.