Andean Hairy Armadillo

Observations: Not much is known about the longevity of these animals, but one specimen lived 14 years in captivity (Richard Weigl 2005). Their maximum longevity could be underestimated as detailed studies are lacking.

The bony plates of armour that surround this animal's body serve as protection from predators. (Nixon, 2000)

Known Predators:

• humans (Homo sapiens)

Head and body length reaches 220 to 400 mm and the tail length is 90 to 175 mm. The head shield is 60 mm long and 60 mm wide. This armadillo has 18 dorsal bands, 8 of which are movable. (Nowak, 1999) Unlike other armadillos, Chaetophractus nationi has hair between the majority of its sclaes, and is completely covered on its legs and underside. Color varies from yellowish to light brown. As with other Dasypodids, the teeth are not covered in enamel, and grow continuously. Body temperature is regulated somewhat ectothermically, and burrows are used to cool down in the summer. (Yensen et al, 1994)

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; heterothermic ; bilateral symmetry

Average mass: 2150 g.

Average basal metabolic rate: 3.118 W.

(Montgomery, 1985)

Range lifespan
Status: captivity: 20 (high) years.

Typical lifespan
Status: wild: 12 to 16 years.

Chaetophractus nationi lives in grasslands at high altitudes, in an ecosystem called the Puna. (Montgomery, 1985)

Average elevation: 3500 m.

Habitat Regions: temperate

Terrestrial Biomes: mountains

Chaetophractus nationi is endemic to Bolivia and northern Chile, in the Andes mountain range. (Yensen et al, 1994)

Biogeographic Regions: neotropical (Native )

Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical

Chaetophractus nationi is so endangered that CITES has issued a no import/export policy for trade of this species. (1996 IUCN Red List)

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: appendix ii

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: vulnerable

In Bolivia and Chile, Andean Hairy Armadillos have been used for meat, musical instruments, decorations, good luck charms, and medicine for rheumatism. (Yensen et al, 1994)

Positive Impacts: food ; source of medicine or drug

May limit harmful insect populations. (Montgomery 1985)

Ecosystem Impact: soil aeration

Chaetophractus nationi is omnivorous, eating some small vertebrates, many insects, and some vegetation. (Greegor 1980)

Animal Foods: birds; mammals; reptiles; eggs; carrion ; insects; terrestrial non-insect arthropods

Plant Foods: roots and tubers; seeds, grains, and nuts; fruit

Primary Diet: omnivore

Chaetophractus nationi is solitary, with males and females only coming together for mating purposes.

Mating System: polygynandrous (promiscuous)

After mating in the fall, females are pregnant for two months before giving birth to a litter of two. After birth, an individual immediately develops epidermal scales that eventually harden and join to form armor plates. Each infant is fully dependent on its mother until weaning, which occurs at about 50 days. Young rely heavily on their mothers for almost a month until they develop adult teeth and begin to forage. Sexual maturity is reached at about nine months. (Grzimek, 1990)

Breeding season: Fall

Average number of offspring: 2.

Average gestation period: 2 months.

Average weaning age: 50 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 9 months.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 9 months.

Key Reproductive Features: seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization (External )

Average number of offspring: 1.5.

The female is solely responsible for parental care in this species.

Parental Investment: female parental care

This species is nocturnal in summer when the days are hot, and active during the day in winter. It is territorial with reported home ranges of about 3.4 hectares (2). Like other armadillos it uses its powerful claws to dig burrows and can have up to 20 burrows within its home range which are each 1.5-3 metres long (5). Andean hairy armadillos use these burrows to live in, rear offpsring and to escape from predators (4). This fascinating animal forages by moving slowly along with the nose in the soil and leaf litter, then digging up material with the fore-claws once food has been sniffed out (4). It has a highly developed sense of smell and feeds on insects, vegetable matter and fruits, birds eggs and even small vertebrates such as snakes and small lizards (4). An armadillo will often dig beneath a decomposing carcass to find a feast of maggots and insects. They have even been known to jump on snakes to kill them with their sharp armour plates (2). Another interesting behaviour of this armadillo is its ability to cross ponds and creeks. It either gulps air until it becomes buoyant and paddles across the water, or sinks to the bottom and strolls across, postponing its next breath until it reaches the other side (5). This species, like other armadillos, is relatively solitary except during the breeding season of the summer months (5). Courtship involves the male following the female avidly, and mating occurs with the male mounting the female from behind. Male armadillos have one of the longest penises amongst mammals, extending to two-thirds of the body length (4). The gestation time is 2 months, and there may be multiple litters per year. The female usually gives birth to two young in a burrow. They are born with pink soft bodies and are weaned at 50 - 60 days, when their carapace is developed (2). Individuals live for up to 16 years (2).

International trade of the Andean hairy armadillo is forbidden by its listing on Appendix II of the Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) (3). It is hoped that this measure will reduce its trade and therefore the extent to which it is hunted. There are no conservation measures in place to protect this fascinating animal in its natural habitat, however, and habitat loss is expected to continue as Peru and Bolivia become more populated and developed (4).

Armadillos are one of the oldest groups of mammals. Once thought to be closely related to turtles because of their tough protective carapaces, zoologists now classify them in the mammalian order Xenarthra with anteaters and sloths (4). The Spanish named them 'armadillo' which means 'little plated one', referring to the armour-like covering over much of the body (5). Even the top of the head bears dark plates like a helmet, and the thin tail has a hardened covering. Unlike other armadillos, members of the Chaetophractus genus have light brown hair between the chinks of the armoured scales as well as on its legs and underside (2). These animals are well adapted for digging and foraging in the undergrowth and have short legs, long powerful claws, and pointed snouts (2). Colour varies from light brown to a dull yellow, with males and females looking similar in appearance, though males are generally larger (5).

Chaetophractus nationi lives exclusively in open high-altitude grasslands (2).

Occurs in Bolivia and northern Chile (1).

Classified as Vulnerable (VU A1d) by the IUCN Red List 2003 (1) and listed on Appendix II of CITES (3).

The hard outer covering of the Andean hairy armadillo is good protection from predators, but humans can easily catch and kill them (2). They are hunted and traded for food and their shell, and are also persecuted for their disruptive burrowing on agricultural land (1). Habitat loss from deforestation and agricultural development is also an increasing threat (4).

The Andean hairy armadillo (Chaetophractus nationi) is an armadillo found mainly in Bolivia, in the region of the Puna; the departments of Oruro, La Paz, and Cochabamba (Gardner, 1993). Nowark (1991) describes it as distributed in Bolivia and northern Chile. A recent publication of Pacheco (1995) also locates the species in the Puno Region of Peru. This species is also thought to be present in northern Argentina. However, this location may actually only contain a population of C. vellerosus.