Special Sub-Topic: Armadillos Click Here To Play: Armadillos

Female armadillos have been known to give birth over two years after being in captivity - how is this possible?

Females can delay starting a pregnancy in times of stress. In times of stress, armadillos can delay gestation (which actually lasts 120-150 days) up to two and a half years. Parthenogenesis, or reproduction without male fertilisation, takes place in some invertebrates and also in certain reptiles, fish and birds, but not in armadillos. As far as I know, armadillos are not Houdinis.

What is the smallest species of armadillo?

The pink fairy armadillo. This is my favourite name for an animal! The pink fairy armadillo is found in central Argentina and is, sadly, an endangered animal because of habitat destruction. Unfortunately, they have never been known to live more than four years in captivity, so their outlook is bleak. They stand 6 inches high and are 3 and a half to four inches long without their tail. Yes, they are pink. I made all the wrong answers (which you may think sound more likely) up.

Of which state in the USA is the nine-banded armadillo the state animal?

Texas. The nine-banded armadillo is the only armadillo that has expanded as far north as the United States. By 1995 it had got as far north as Arkansas, and projections suggest it could get as far as Massachusetts. Not quite as far as Maine yet! Texas's large state mammal is the Texas longhorn, and its small one is indeed the armadillo, which is ironically considered a pest.

What is the armadillo's 'shell' made of?

Bone. The armadillo's shell is actually made of bone, which is obviously not very flexible, making the three-banded armadillo the only armadillo that can actually roll itself into a ball. Or the wrong answers, keratin (which is what forms our hair and nails) is what rhino horns are made of, chitin forms the exoskeletons of arthropods and nacre is also known as mother-of-pearl. Baby armadillos are born 'soft' (like fingernails) and gradually ossify.

According to the writer Rudyard Kipling in 'Just So Stories', which two animals was the armadillo formed by?

Hedgehog and tortoise. Whilst trying to escape a leopard, the tortoise practised rolling in a ball and the hegehog practised swimming, melting his prickles into scales. They both became the first armadillos. In actual fact, armadillos belong to the order Cingulata, family Dasypodidae and are descended from Glyptodon and Panochthus, huge bony-shelled animals.

What do armadillos' teeth lack?

Enamel. Armadillos not only lack enamel, they also do not have canine or incisor teeth. They are in fact, classified as edentates (toothless), even though some armadillos have up to 100 molars, more than any other mammal! With their diet of bugs, soft plants and decaying meat, the canines and incisors are not needed for tearing.

Can armadillos get frostbite?

Y. Armadillos have what is known as a 'miraculous net' (rete mirabile), which basically keeps the inner core of the animal warm, but the extremities cool, making them very susceptible to frostbite. Cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises etc.) use a similar system to stop them losing heat through fins.

What is not a genuine name for a living armadillo?

Beautiful armadillo. The screaming hairy armadillo takes its name from its loud squeal. Yepes mulita is a long-nosed armadillo, as indeed is the hairy long-nosed armadillo, which is native to Peru. Unfortunately all these animals are endangered. The beautiful armadillo is a species, now extinct, that lived in the US up to 10,000 years ago.

What is the largest species of armadillo called?

Giant armadillo. Given the esoteric names in the last question, you may be surprised to learn that the biggest armadillo has such a mundane name. The giant armadillo is over 3 feet long without the tail, and can weigh up to 132 pounds. Sadly, this is another endangered animal, as it can damage crops, and half of the population has been lost in the last 10 years.

Can armadillos swim?

Y. Armadillos are very good swimmers. They can hold their breath for up to six minutes underwater, and to counteract the weight of their shell, they gulp air into their stomach and intestines, swelling to twice their size. Although I've come to end of this quiz, I haven't come to the end of fascinating facts about armadillos. I hope this quiz inspires you to learn more about all things tolypeutine. All feedback welcome.