Range

South America is the native home of the six-banded armadillo. Here they can be found throughout Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Suriname and Uruguay.

Habitat

The make their home in open habitats including savanna, shrubland and semi-deciduous forest. With the expansion of human habitations they have shown an adaptability to habitat disturbance. They have been seen living in areas such as timber and sugar cane plantations along with pasture.

Reproduction

Breeding takes place year round. A group of males will chase a female in an attempt to gain mating rights.

Following a gestation of 60-64 days the female will give birth to between 1 and 3 young.

Six-banded armadillos are capable of delayed implantation.

After 22-25 days the eyes of the six-banded armadillo has opened. Solid food can be eaten from 1 month old. They become an adult at 9 months old.

Behavior

The six-banded armadillo will dig a burrow in the ground which can be as much as 2m (6.6ft) deep.

They are active by day. At most times a six-banded armadillo will be found on its own. Each armadillo forms a territory which is marked using scent. They will bite and scratch other six-banded armadillos which enter their territory.

Six-banded armadillos tend to change their location every few days.

The eyesight of the six-banded armadillo is poor and they rely upon their sight to find food.

They are able swimmers and will swallow air before entering the water to help with buoyancy.

Predators and Threats

When threatened by a predator they will curl in to a ball so only the hard outer shell is exposed.

Six-banded armadillos are hunted by humans for their shells and meat. Farmers will also hunt them as retribution as they are considered a pest. Their shells are collected to be turned in to a small guitar like instrument known as the Charango.

They may be hunted for use in traditional medicines. It is believed that placing the tail of an armadillo in the ear of a deaf person will cure this ailment.

Quick facts

The six banded armadillo is also known as the yellow armadillo.

Armadillos are the only other known animal on Earth which can carry leprosy and it is possible for this disease to carry between armadillos and humans.