Nine Banded Armadillo | endemiccostarica

Armadillo - Dasypus novemcinctus

The Nine Banded Armadillo is a beautifully adapted animal. Growing an average length of 30 in (75 cm) this creature enjoys thriving in an assortment of different temperate and warm climates. This Armadillo's habitat includes rain forests, cloud forests, grasslands, and semi-deserts.
- Of course, this species of Armadillo is decorated with nine bands wrapped around its chest. Its armor is made from "ermal bone" plates covered in epidermal scales. This strong armor covers this Armadillo from head to tail.

A common misconception of Armadillo's is that all of them are able to curl up into balls. Only the Three Banded Armadidllo is capable of that feat.
When the Nine Banded Armadillo feels threatened, it often looks up, sniff the air, and when it decides it is in dangers, it hurls itself into the brush. This technique is usefull because the Armadillo's armor protects it from the cactus's while its predator will be injured.
The female will often gather leaves and grasses, holding them between her forepaws, and then she digs a burrow that her young will grow up in.
- Armadillo's normally have four kids (quadruplets) at one time.
- Are mature after just one year.

The Nine Banded Armadillo is capable of inflating its intestines floating across the river, or sinking itself and crossing on the riverbed.
- The Nine Banded Armadillo can hold its breath for up to six minutes
  - This adaptation was originally developed for the Armadillo to bury its snout in the soill for long periods of time.
The Armadillo's snout is capable of detected its prey (ants, termites, and worms) in up to 8 in (20 cm) deep of soil!