Southern Three-Banded Armadillo Natural History. Like most armadillos, the southern three-banded is covered in plates of leathery armor that protect it from predator s. But what makes this armadillo special is its ability to roll completely into a ball. When startled, it closes its shell completely around its body, leaving a small gap that it squeezes shut on the nose or paw of a would-be predator. The three-banded armadillo is the only species of armadillo capable of rolling into a complete ball to defend themselves. Size. It is sexually mature after 9-12 months of life. The Aztecs called them āyōtōchtli (turtle-rabbit). 158-168. de Oliveira, T.G. They are however hunted by man for their meat – the balls making them easy targets. The Southern Three-banded Armadillo (Tolypeutes matacus) is a species of concern belonging in the species group "mammals" and found in the following area(s): Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay. The southern three-banded armadillo is indigenous to central South America, ranging between Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia. Tolypeutes matacus is a solitary invertivore. Nowak, R.M. This article is only an excerpt. LIFE SPAN: 15 - 20 years. Status in the Wild Many species of armadillo are endangered or threatened in the wild. MORE IN ARMADILLO CATEGORY. I own the copyrights of this video. Population. These animals are around 24 cm (9 inches) long and weigh just over 1 kg. The Zoo is a favorite place for families and groups to discover the animal kingdom. The shell covering its body is armored and the outer layer is made out of keratin, the same component that builds human fingernails. An intern at the NEW Zoo and Adventure Park in Green Bay, Wisconsin recorded this moment of adorable: a southern three-banded armadillo attacks its bear toy over and over again. At 9-12 months of age the southern three banded armadillo reaches sexual maturity. The Southern three-banded armadillo has a head-body length of 20–25 cm and weighs around 1–2 kg. A three- banded armadillo’s body has various shades of yellow to brown. 1999. There are 3–4 clawed toes on the forefeet, with the third claw being the largest. It is found in the Neotropics. Tolypeutes matacus (Southern Three Banded Armadillo) is a species of mammals in the family long-nosed armadillos. This species uses its powerful front claws to gain access to ants and termites living in logs or mounds. It is listed as near threatened by IUCN. Share. After 72 days they no longer depend on their mother. Armadillo headplates are unique to each armadillo, like human fingerprints. The word armadillo means "little armoured one" in Spanish. This video was taken at the NEW Zoo and Adventure Park in Green Bay, WI. FIND ME IN THE ZOO: IUCN Red List Status Near Threatened. The southern three-banded armadillo is the only armadillo species able to roll into a ball Unlike other armadillo species, they do not dig burrows, and usually take refuge in the abandoned burrows of other animals such as anteaters They walk on their hind-legs with … Age. 3.08 to 3.52 lb; Average basal metabolic rate 1.172 W AnAge; Reproduction. Common Name: Southern Three-banded Armadillo. The single young are born blind but quickly develop the ability to close their shells and walk. Status according to Red List More information you will get on the web page of the IUCN Red List It is found in parts of northern Argentina, southwestern Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia, at elevations from sea level to 2,500 feet. Tolypeutes matacus is common in most xeric parts of the Paraguayan Chaco (Redford and Eisenberg 1992, Meritt 2008). This species can live for 15 years in the wild or over 20 years in captivity. The southern three-banded armadillo eats mainly beetle larvae, ants and termites that it gets by probing in the ground, under bark and into nests. The southern three-banded armadillo reaches sexual maturity at 9-12 months of age. The three-banded armadillo lives in farmlands and semi-arid regions of lowlands. ball armadillo).It is one of only two species of armadillo that can roll into a ball (the other is the southern three-banded armadillo).It has suffered a 30% decline in population in the last 10 years. Southern three-banded Armadillo. Most of the young are born from November-January but births have been reported throughout the year, indicating that there is … Playing next. Family: Dasypodidae. With more than a quarter million guests each year, the Zoo attracts visitors of all ages and backgrounds. Its carapace is rigid, dome-shaped, generally sandy-yellow to brown, and has 2–4 movable bands. The word armadillo is Spanish for "little armored one" The Southern Three-Banded Armadillo is also known as: La Plata Three-Banded Armadillo The Southern Three-Banded Armadillo and the Brazilian Three-Banded Armadillo are the only two species of armadillo that can completely roll themselves into a ball to defend themselves from predators. Southern three-banded armadillo (Tolypeutes matacus) - Buy this stock photo and explore similar images at Adobe Stock The southern three-banded armadillo has an interesting mode of locomotion: walking on its hind-legs with the tips of the fore claws touching the ground. Walker’s Mammals of the World, 6th edition. They will give birth to a single baby between November and January. The southern three-banded armadillo (Tolypeutes matacus), also called the la Plata three-banded armadillo, is an armadillo species from South America. Creature Profile. The discovery of the Brazilian three-banded armadillo in the Cerrado of Central Brazil. The tail, as well as the head shield, are triangular in shape. 1995. SOUTHERN THREE-BANDED ARMADILLO. The Southern three-banded armadillo (Tolypeutes matacus), also called the La Plata three-banded armadillo, is a species of armadillo from South America.It is found in parts of northern Argentina, southwestern Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia, at elevations from sea level to 770 m (2,530 ft).. Southern three-banded armadillos are native to rainforests and grasslands of northern South America. Photo Taken At Lincoln Children'S Zoo, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. 09/04/2012 Tolypeutes matacus Three Banded Armadillo Class: Mammalia Order: Cingulata Family: Dasypodidae Other names: Southern Three Banded Armadillo. The hard shell covering the tail, top of head and outer surfaces of the limbs is made up of bony plates, called scutes. Physical Description: The three-banded armadillo is the only armadillo that can roll completely into a ball to protect itself from predators and thorny vegetation. The gestation period of a three banded armadillo is around 120 days. Southern Three-banded Armadillo Tolypeutes matacus. Three-banded armadillo is a species from South America. Scientific Name Tolypeutes matacus. Category: Armadillo. November - January are when most young are born, but births have been reported throughout the year. It is the only armadillo species capable of rolling into a completely enclosed ball to avoid predation. They are known for potentially carrying leprosy and are presumed vectors and natural reservoirs for the disease in Texas, Louisiana and Florida. Over the past forty years, the Zoo has grown to become the #1 year-round family attraction in Baton Rouge. Three banded armadillos are the only two species of armadillo that can roll itself into a perfect spherical shape completely enclosing itself in its’ armor. The young will nurse for about 72 days before being weaned. The southern three-banded armadillo (Tolypeutes matacus), also called the La Plata three-banded armadillo, is an armadillo species from South America. For this reason, Southern three-banded armadillos have very few predators. Individuals can grow to 1303.47 g. Reproduction is dioecious. It is found in parts of northern Argentina, southwestern Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia, at elevations from sea level to 770 m (2,530 ft). Previous Next. The Baton Rouge Zoo is a place where people connect with animals. Southern Three-Banded Armadillo. It uses its sticky, strap-like tongue to grab a meal. The Brazilian three-banded armadillo Tolypeutes tricinctus in Maranhão. The southern three-banded armadillo is one of only two species that can do so. Human encroachment, slash-and-burn farming and hunting account for a … The three characteristic bands that cover the back of the animal allow it enough flexibility to fit its tail and head together, allowing it to protect its … Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD. This armor covers the … Edentata 3: 11-13. Report. Habitat and Distribution. Exhibit Range of the Jaguar. These armadillos live in both savannah and woodland in Brazil. They are dark brown and heavily armored with a thick, leathery shell that is usually segmented into 3 bands. The edges between the shells and extremities can be left slightly open then if touched by a predator it can snap it together like a steal trap. Seneca Park Zoo is home to a three-banded armadillo named Doug, who was born in 2009 and came to the Zoo in 2010. The Brazilian three-banded armadillo (Tolypeutes tricinctus) is an armadillo species endemic to eastern Brazil, where it is known as tatu-bola (Portuguese pronunciation: [tɐˈtu ˈbɔlɐ], lit. A Southern Three Banded Armadillo rolled into a defensive ball. Scientific Name: Tolypeutes matacus. 0:33. Range Northern Argentina, southwestern Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia Browse more videos. The Southern and Brazilian three-banded armadillos are the only species capable of completely rolling itself into a ball as a defense. They babies can curl into a ball immediately after birth. Smith P 2007 - SOUTHERN THREE-BANDED ARMADILLO Tolypeutes matacus - Mammals of Paraguay Nº 7 Page 3 Smith P - Tolypeutes matacus - FAUNA Paraguay Handbook of the Mammals of Paraguay Number 7 2007 Vizcaino et al (1999) give the following ulnar dimensions (n=4): Ulnar Length 49.4mm (+/-4.9); Olecranon Length 17mm (+/-1.5). Read More. 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