Armadillo

Nine-banded Armadillo!

Armadillos originated in South America, hence the name Armadillo which means “little armored one” in Spanish. The Nine-banded armadillo is only found in the United States.

Their average size is 25-48” long (including the tail) with a weight of 8-18 lbs. The average lifespan in the wild is 7-10 years. Identifying features of the armadillo are: greyish-brown oval-shaped body with a long, tapering tail; long head with a pointy snout and small black eyes on either side; hard, armor-like shell (carapace) with 7-11 distinct band-shaped beaks around the center; four short legs with long claws designed for digging. Armadillos prefer warm, moist climates, and thrive in forested areas and grasslands. Because they must dig for their food and shelter, they generally gravitate towards areas with loose, porous soil. Reproduction for the nine-banded armadillo begins in early summer, and the breeding period lasts about 2-3 months. It takes up to 4 months for a fertilized egg to become implanted and another 4 before young are born. Each time, the fertilized egg breaks into four identical zygotes, yielding quadruplets.

Want to learn more about Nine-banned armadillos or other native South Texas animals? Call to schedule a private one-of-a-kind outdoor Sculpture Trail Tour and develop an appreciation for the vast variety of creatures that call our region home. Each sculpture provides insight into the natural history of the Rio Grande Valley. At each turn of a trail, there’s a new creature to discover.

Call us at 956-681-3370 for more information.