Six-Banded Armadillo

The word ‘armadillo’ is derived from a Spanish word that means ‘little armoured one’. Their strong bony shell protects them from predators, although they are not able to roll into a ball like other types of armadillos; instead, they rely on evasive tactics by swiftly seeking refuge in nearby burrows to avoid encounters with predators.

Six-banded armadillos possess limited eyesight and heavily depend on their acute sense of smell to locate both prey and potential threats. Unlike the majority of armadillo species, they exhibit diurnal behaviour, remaining active during the daytime.

Armadillos have a long sticky tongue that they use to lap up insects, especially ants.