Kingdom : Animalia Class : Mammalia Family : Dasypodidae Scientific Name : Chlamyphorus truncatus Size(L) : 90mm - 115mm (3.5in - 4.5in) Weight : 120g (4.2oz) Life Span : 5 - 10 years Colour : Pale Rose Skin Type : Hard Shell Special Features : Hard shell, large front claws, shielded head
- The Pink Fairy Armadillos are the smallest species of Armadillo in the world.
- They grow to be an average size of 3.5-4.5 in and weigh less than a pound.
- Their dorsal shell is completely separate from their body and they are the only armadillo species to have it so.
- They inhabit the sandy areas of Central Argentina and the dry grasslands.
- They are excellent at digging burrows and use it to disappear when under threat.
- Usually, they dig their burrows near large ant colonies.
- They spend most of their life underground.
- Interestingly, they appear to be swimming through water when they move underground.
- This unique style of movement is assisted by their aerodynamic body, protective shield and their large front claws.
- They are nocturnal animals that come out to feed at night.
- They are also solitary by nature and come together only to mate.
- The female pink fairy armadillos are polygamous and mate with several different partners.
- The females give birth to a single young one, whose shell hardens only when they fully grow up.
- They are omnivores, feeding primarily on ants and occasionally on worms, snails and plant material
- Their main natural predators are domestic dogs.
- Their numbers have been declining because of habitat loss and they are now a species that is threatened from extinction.