Giant Armadillo

 
This animal can be found in undisturbed primary rainforest habitats, scrublands and grasslands, near water sources, from northern Venezuela and Guyana to Paraguay and Argentina. Their numbers are declining due to habitat destruction and hunting for food by indigenous peoples. They are currently listed as vulnerable by the IUCN.

Giant Armadillos are the largest of the 20 armadillos species alive, most of which are found in South America. They can grow to be 5 feet (1.5 m) long and weigh 66 pounds (30 kg). Their keen sense of smell leads them to prey, primarily termites, but also ants, larvae, snakes, other small animals, and limited vegetation. They usually burrow near termite mounds and can stand on their hind legs, balancing with their long tail, to reach high up on the mounds. They are nocturnal and spend their days in long burrows that can be up to 20 feet long, 5 feet deep and have a dozen entrances.

They are too big to curl up completely into their shell when in danger, so they retreat to their burrows or dig a new hole to crawl into to escape from predators. Their tough, scaly shell helps to protect them while they get away. They don’t have many natural predators, just jaguars, and pumas, but humans are their most dangerous threat.

Mothers have one or two young at a time and nurse them for 4 – 6 weeks. They will stay with their mother for protection until they are about 6 months old. They become adults at about a year and can live to be 12 – 15 years old. Researchers are currently trying to find out more about these shy and reclusive mammals.