This species of armadillo is easily caught by hand. Its genetic makeup is very different from most armadillos.
Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical
They do not appear to be declining at a threatening rate.
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: near threatened
No documented examples.
This species is hunted throughout its range for its meat and is an important food source in some areas.
This species of armadillo eats mainly ants and termites. They use their strong legs and large claws to dig through insect colonies or under bark to get to their food.
South America: north central Argentina, east central Bolivia and sections of Brazil and Paraguay.
Biogeographic Regions: neotropical (Native )
This species is found mainly in the grasslands or marshes near dry forests or savannah areas.
Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland ; scrub forest
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 36 years.
Total body length is around 300mm with a tail length of 64mm. They are dark brown and heavely armored with a thick, leathery shell that is usually segmented into 3 bands. This armor covers the tail, head, feet, and back of the animal. The tail is very stout and immobile. The middle three toes on the back feet are grown together and have a thick claw. The forefeet toes are seperated and have 4 claws.
Range mass: 1.4 to 1.6 kg.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Average basal metabolic rate: 1.172 W.
The southern three-banded armadillo reaches sexual maturity at 9-12 months of age. Most of the young are born from November-January but births have been reported throughout the year, indicating that there is no distinct breeding season. The single young are born blind but quickly develop the ability to close their shells and walk. They are no longer dependent on their mothers after 72 days.
Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual
Average birth mass: 80 g.
Average gestation period: 120 days.
Average number of offspring: 1.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
Sex: male: 320 days.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female: 320 days.
