Armadillos may look like miniature tanks, but their lives are full of surprises. These remarkable animals can swim, jump high, and even clone themselves genetically. Beneath their famous armor lies a world of strange skills and history you’ll want to explore.
Armadillos
Armadillos are the only mammals with armor made of bone and keratin, just like human fingernails.
Their bellies are soft and hairy, giving them flexibility to curl and squeeze into tight spaces.
The nine-banded armadillo can hold its breath for six minutes and walk underwater along riverbeds.
Some species inflate their intestines to float while swimming—nature’s quirky life jackets.
The name “armadillo” comes from Spanish, meaning “little armored one.”
Poor eyesight doesn’t slow them down; their strong sense of smell finds hidden insects underground.
They can jump straight up to three feet high when startled, surprising predators and humans alike.
Amazingly, armadillos almost always give birth to identical quadruplets.
Their sticky tongues can reach deep into tunnels to snatch ants and termites.
Their ancestors roamed Earth over 60 million years ago, making them living fossils.
The giant armadillo, now endangered, could reach the size of a small car.
Some of them roll into perfect balls, turning their shells into impenetrable shields.
Skilled diggers, they make burrows in minutes using strong claws.
The nine-banded armadillo is steadily expanding north across the United States.
Their digging helps aerate soil and reduce insect populations, aiding healthy ecosystems.
