Armadillos are very particular mammalian animals, which we can easily recognize by their peculiar armor that covers their bodies. They are native to the American continent and, although studies are still being carried out to specify their classification, they are currently located in the Cingulata order and the Dasypodidae family. It is a group made up of approximately 20 species, which makes it relatively diverse.
Are you curious about these animals? In this article on our site we will introduce you to the different types of armadillos so you can get to know them and learn a little more about this peculiar group. Keep reading!
Big-nosed armadillo (Dasypus kappleri)
This species is native to South America and is found in countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Venezuela, among others. It is the largest type of armadillo, with dimensions of about 90 cm from head to tail and weights of about 9 kg. Its distinctive feature is the presence of rows of scales on the hind legs
Depending on the region, can live in humid lowland forests and savannahs with patches of forest. Regarding its state of conservation, it is classified in the category of least concern.
Long-nosed hairy armadillo (Dasypus pilosus)
This type of armadillo is endemic to Peru and is little known, in fact, its distribution range is not precisely known. Until now it is known that it is present in the Southwestern Andes of the country and towards the department of Amazonas, in the north.
It is estimated that this type of armadillo measures around 50 cm. Something very curious about this armadillo is that, although it has the typical armor on the body, including head, snout and tail, it is distinguished because is covered by hair, the which comes out of pores present in the armor, so that it is practically not seen.
Because it is a poorly known and studied species, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) it falls into the category of insufficient data.
Greater Pichiciego (Calyptophractus retusus)
Despite its name and peculiar appearance, the pichiciego mayor or grande is also an armadillo. It is typical of Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay, inhabiting areas with sandy soils, patches of vegetation and near population centers. There is little information on this type of armadillo, so it falls into the data deficient category.
As is the case with all species of armadillo, the greater pichiciego is a good burrower, which is why it takes refuge in underground caves. It measures between 14 and 17 cm and weighs around 1 kg, so we are dealing with a small species. Its distinctive feature is that pelvic armor is fully attached to the vertebral column and also to the pelvic bones, while the soft dorsal armor is fused to the skin with dorsal bands that are mobile. On the other hand, the fur on the back is very scarce, but abundant on the belly area.
Discover in this other post more Animals that live in caves, since the armadillo is not the only one.
Hairy armadillo (Chaetophractus villosus)
This type of armadillo inhabits Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Paraguay, living in various types of habitats such as grasslands, savannas, forests and cultivated areas. On average, it measures about 43 cm and weighs about 2 kg. The armor of the head is quite prominent, in the rest of the body it presents bands that allow mobility.
As in the previous species, it has abundant fur on the ventral area, but little on the rest of the body. It is classified as Least Concern.
Lesser Pichiciego (Chlamyphorus truncatus)
Also known as the pink fairy armadillo, it is the smallest type of armadillo of all It is endemic to Argentina and thrives in grasslands dry and sandy plains with the presence of bushy vegetation. It is only present in this type of soil where it can burrow, since it is a fossorial species, that is, an excavator, and it lives mainly underground.
The body is about 13 cm long and weighs about 120 g Its body is covered with fur and the armor does not cover the entire body, but only occupies the top and half of each side. It is classified in the data deficient category, so it is unknown if it is endangered or not.
Pygmy Armadillo (Zaedyus pichiy)
It is also known as pichi and is an armadillo d e Argentina and Chile, which lives in desert ecosystems, steppes of Patagonia, areas with xerophytic vegetation, bushes and grasslands, but always with sandy soils. On average, it measures about 30 cm and weighs 1 to 2 kg.
Has the characteristic armor that covers the body, with hairs protruding from it below and around it. It is classified as near threatened because, according to the IUCN, its population is in decline.
Savanna cachicamo (Dasypus sabanicola)
In this case, we have a type of armadillo native to Colombia and Venezuela, where it is actually quite common in areas of plains formed by open grasslands or scrub. Also known as northern long-nosed armadillo and plains long-nosed armadillo.
It is a large animal that is about a meter long and can weigh up to 10 kg. His armor covers his entire body and he has no hair. It has been classified as near threatened, too, due to increasing population decline.
Large Cabassu (Cabassous tatouay)
It is native to Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, where it grows in lowlands, submontane-type forests and open areas and secondary forests, being like other types of armadillos quite fossorial.
It is also known as the greater naked-tailed armadillo. It has similarities with the giant armadillos, but this one is smaller and, as its common name indicates, its tail is devoid of the protective shell The average weight is about 5 kg and measures about 60 cm. It is classified as Least Concern.
Nine-Banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus)
Also known as the long-nosed armadillo, it is the most widespread type of armadillo on the continent, since it is distributed d from the southern United States to Argentina, so that it develops in a great variety of ecosystems. In addition, it is a fairly adaptable species in this regard. The average weight is 5.5 kg, while the average length is 70 cm. It is considered Least Concern.
Giant Armadillo (Priodontes maximus)
This peculiar type of armadillo is distributed in countries such as Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela, among others. It inhabits tropical rainforests near water, open woodlands, or grasslands. In this other post we talk more in depth about the Habitat of the giant armadillo.
It is distinguished from the rest of the species by its enormous size, since it measures about one meter and has an average weight of 26 kg The black or gray color in the dorsal area of the carapace is also characteristic, while towards the ventral it is lighter. Unfortunately, it is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN, as its population continues to decline.
Other types of armadillos
As we mentioned at the beginning, there are about 20 species of armadillos. Therefore, below, we present the rest of the armadillo species identified so far:
- Six-banded armadillo (Euphractus sexcinctus)
- Southern long-nosed armadillo (Dasypus hybridus)
- Seven-Banded Armadillo (Dasypus septemcinctus)
- Andean hairy armadillo (Chaetophractus vellerosus)
- Southern three-banded armadillo (Tolypeutes matacus)
- Brazilian three-banded armadillo (Tolypeutes tricinctus)
- Southern Naked-tailed Armadillo (Cabassous unicinctus)
- Central American Naked-tailed Armadillo (Cabassous centralis)
- Yepes mulita or Yungas lesser snout armadillo (Dasypus mazzai)
- Cabasú chaqueño or naked-tailed armadillo from Chaco (Cabassous chacoensis)
