Southern naked-tailed armadillo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Southern naked-tailed armadillo
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Cingulata
Family:	Chlamyphoridae
Subfamily:	Tolypeutinae
Genus:	Cabassous
Species:	C. unicinctus
Binomial name
Cabassous unicinctus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Southern naked-tailed armadillo range
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Synonyms
Dasypus unicinctus Linnaeus, 1758

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The southern naked-tailed armadillo (scientific name: Cabassous unicinctus) is a small, unique animal. It's a type of armadillo that lives in South America. These interesting creatures are known for their special tails.

What Does a Southern Naked-Tailed Armadillo Look Like?

Southern naked-tailed armadillos are smaller than some other armadillo types. Males are about 36 centimeters (14 inches) long from head to body. They weigh around 3 kilograms (6.6 pounds). Females are a bit bigger. They measure about 38 centimeters (15 inches) and weigh 3.8 kilograms (8.4 pounds). Both males and females have tails that are about 16 centimeters (6.3 inches) long. Their tails have only tiny scales, not the large, bony plates (called scutes) that most other armadillos have.

Their upper body is covered by a dark grey, bony shell called a carapace. This shell is made of square-shaped scutes. In the middle of their body, the shell has ten to thirteen movable rings. These rings help the armadillo bend and move easily. While there are some stiff hairs around the edges of the scutes, their tail and belly have no hair. The armor also covers the back of their neck and goes onto their head between their ears. Smaller, thinner scales are found on their cheeks and the outside of their ears.

These armadillos have a short snout and large, funnel-shaped ears. Each foot has five toes with strong claws. The middle claws on their front feet are extra large. They use these big claws for digging.

Where Do Southern Naked-Tailed Armadillos Live?

Southern naked-tailed armadillos live in northern South America. You can find them east of the Andes mountains. Their range goes as far south as northern Paraguay and southern Brazil. They live in many different places. These include tropical rain forests, swamps, and open grasslands. They also live in a type of savanna called cerrado.

Scientists recognize two main types, or subspecies, of this armadillo:

• Cabassous unicinctus squamicaudis: This type lives south of the Amazon River.
• Cabassous unicinctus unicinctus: This type lives north of the Amazon River.

Life and Habits of the Southern Naked-Tailed Armadillo

Southern naked-tailed armadillos are usually alone. They are mostly active at night in tropical areas. This means they are nocturnal. However, in places further south, they have been seen active during the day. This means they can also be diurnal.

Like many armadillos, they are insectivores. This means they eat insects. Their diet is almost entirely made up of ants and termites. They spend a lot of their time digging. They dig burrows that are about 16 centimeters (6.3 inches) wide. The entrance of the burrow is round because the armadillo spins as it digs. But about 45 centimeters (18 inches) inside, the burrow becomes flatter. They often make their homes inside termite mounds.

Armadillos can have babies all year round. In zoos, these armadillos have lived for up to seven years.