Nine-banded Armadillo

Dasypus novemcinctus

Armadillos, or "armored ones" in Spanish, are the only mammals with a protective shell. It is made of heavy bony plates that cover the body. Armadillos might appear awkward or slow but they can move and dig quickly and can even swim. The Nine-banded Armadillo builds a nest in an underground den and ventures forth at night to dig for insects and other invertebrates. Its eyesight is so poor that you can sometimes get very close to an armadillo before it scoots away.

Look For : A round-backed animal with a brown, yellow, and tan shell and a pointed armored tail.

Length : Body 14-18" long, tail 10-15" long; 8-17 lb.

Habitat : Forests and lowlands with moist soil and rotting wood where insects and other invertebrates live. Areas with sandy soil.

Range : Texas, Oklahoma, and southeastern Kansas to southern Georgia and most of Florida.