The giant armadillo found in South America is the largest armadillo in the world. It is known locally as tatu-canastra, tatou, ocarro, tatú carreta.
| Animalia | |
| Chordata | |
| Mammalia | |
| Cingulata | |
| Chlamyphoridae | |
| Priodontes | |
| Priodontes maximus |
| Animalia | |
| Chordata | |
| Mammalia | |
| Cingulata | |
| Chlamyphoridae | |
| Priodontes | |
| Priodontes maximus |
Size: Giant armadillos usually measure around 30-39 inches (75-100 cm).
Weight: Adults weigh at around 41-72 lb (18.7-32.5 kg). There has been an individual found in the wild that was 119 lb (54 kg); captive giant armadillos have been recorded to be up to 180 lb (80 kg).
Color: The heads are a pale yellow-white. Their bodies are dark brown, with the sides having a yellowish band.
Dentition: Giant armadillos have up to a 100 teeth, more than any other terrestrial mammal in the world.
These armadillos have a wide range of distribution, being found throughout most of Northern South America east of the Andes Mountains. Their range, however, does not extend to the eastern parts of Brazil and Paraguay.
They inhabit areas with high termite populations, typically at heights of up to 1640 feet (500 meters) in and around rainforests, both tropical and subtropical, floodplains, grasslands, and semiarid and arid woodlands.
Armadillo Giant
Giant Armadillo Habitat
Giant armadillos feed primarily on termites and a few ant species. They may also take worms, small vertebrates, and even carrion, if necessary.
Giant Armadillo Pictures
Giant Armadillo Images
Not much is known about the mating habits of giant armadillos. During the breeding season, they get together and share the same burrow. Usually, one (sometimes two) offspring is given birth to after a gestation period of 4 months.
The offspring usually weighs 4 ounces (113 gram) at birth, and are born with armored skin. They are weaned at around 6 months of age, and around the same time, they become independent. Both sexes become sexually mature at approximately 9 to 12 months of age.
These animals usually live for around 12-15 years in the wild.
Giant Armadillo Fossil
Pictures of Giant Armadillos
It is speculated that giant armadillos communicate with each other through mostly the sense of smell. Touch is also another vital form of communication between mother and offspring and mates.
The only animals with jaws strong enough to get through the armor of these armadillos are the jaguar and occasionally, the puma.
Giant Armadillo Teeth
Giant Armadillo Size
The IUCN lists the giant armadillo under their ‘Vulnerable’ category. It is hunted for meat throughout its range, as well as captured for trade in the black market. Its habitat is threatened by deforestation. Conservation efforts are underway to ensure that the downward trend of the population of giant armadillos is checked and that the species thrives. At present, it is roughly estimated that there are about 30,000 giant armadillos remaining in the wild.
