‘A species few knew of five years ago will now be championing habitat conservation. ‘Thanks to our communication efforts have been selected by the state as one of the mammal indicator species for the creation of protected areas,’ said Arnaud Desbiez, head of the project. The young armadillo was killed by a puma two years later but the project drew great attention from the scientific community and the greater public alike, one positive step in safeguarding the species’ future. Despite being protected by several of the countries where it occurs, giant armadillos also face illegal trade on the black market – sold as ‘living fossils’ – but rarely survive in captivity.Ī group of researchers working in Brazil’s Pantanal region began successfully monitoring one female Giant armadillo and the birth of her young in 2013, gaining invaluable information on the species. Along with the commonly cited threat of habitat loss from deforestation, the biggest threat to the continued survival of the Giant armadillo is hunting as their meat is considered an important source of protein for many indigenous peoples. It is estimated that the species has declined by 30 percent over the past 25 years. The fact that they are solitary, nocturnal creatures, spending the entire day in their burrows, and that they are increasingly rare despite their large range, contributes to the lack of research. Given that this species is so unique in several ways, it is surprising that there have been very few studies done on the Giant armadillo in the wild. Their 15cm-long front claws are perfectly adapted for digging in the ground to hunt for their preferred food source of ants and termites. They prefer to live in undisturbed forests that are close to water sources but can also be found in grassland. The habitat of Giant armadillos covers a wide range in South America, mainly in the centre of the continent. This species is also unique in that it has between 80-100 teeth, the most of any land mammal. It is from one of the oldest surviving groups of mammals and the giant armadillo is one of the largest from this group, growing up to one metre long and weighing more than 30kg. This species was listed as endangered in 1976, and the continued study of the species and its habitat is necessary to plan additional conservation efforts.With its hard shell made out of bony plates and long, thick claws, the armadillo is an animal that has maintained its prehistoric appearance. Some are killed by farmers because they are thought to damage crops. Giant armadillos have suffered from loss of habitat due to agricultural development and human settlement, and they are also overhunted by humans for food. GIANT ARMADILLO SKINThe young armadillos are born with tough leathery skin to protect them from dangerous predators. Females give birth to one to two young after a gestation period of 120 days. Other armadillo species are known to pair up during mating season and share a burrow. Giant armadillos are found in South America, east of the Andes, from northwestern Venezuela to northeastern Argentina. A giant amongst armadillos, this species has declined alarmingly over its wide range - armadillos being a favourite food hunters of bushmeat and the sheer. Little is known about the mating behavior of this species. Giant armadillos can consume entire termite mound populations once discovered. Preferred diet is ants and termites, but they will also eat other insects, worms, spiders, larvae, snakes, and carrion. They are very powerful and quick diggers enabling them to find insects and escape predators by hiding in the ground. They are active mainly at night and prefer to sleep in the daytime. It is believed that they are very good swimmers. Giant armadillos prefer to live in burrows near water in grassland, brushland, woodland, and forests where termite mounds are present. Giant armadillos are very fast on the ground and can sometimes balance themselves on their hind legs and tails, with their forefeet off the ground. It has powerful claws with a very large central claw similar to the claw of the giant anteater. Underneath the carapace, its naked body appears wrinkly and pinkish in color. The head, tail and lower edges of the giant armadillo are nearly white, and the rest of the body is dark brown. Their heads are also covered with a similar oval shield. The necks and backs of armadillos are covered with flexible carapaces (shells) consisting of 14 to 17 moveable bands of horn and bone. Adults grow as long as 35 inches and can weigh over 70 lb. The giant armadillo is the largest of all armadillos and found in South America, east of the Andes, from northwestern Venezuela to northeastern Argentina.
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