These unique creatures have quite a story to tell!

Let’s learn about Armadillos!

Armadillos are mammals who originally come from South America, although they can now be found in several areas of North America.

Armadillos are related to anteaters, and have very similar long, sticky tongues! These tongues are great for catching bugs, which are part of the armadillos’ main diet. Their long, strong claws allow them to dig into insect nests in search of food. However, because their food—bugs and plants—are not difficult to chew, armadillos only have molars, which are not covered in strong enamel like yours!

Although armadillos are not blind, they do not have great eyesight. These animals rely on their noses and ears to sense danger and find food. Let’s face it, bugs and plants are not hard to find—what would they need great eyesight for?

The most noticeable feature of an armadillo is its hard, layered shell. It’s a very unique characteristic, isn’t it? This shell is made of bone and covers the armadillo’s entire back, including their tails! Even though this makes them inflexible, it’s quite effective at protecting their soft bodies!

Cool armadillo fact: Armadillos are great swimmers!

Even though you would think that heavy shell would weigh them down, armadillos have powerful legs with a strong doggie-paddle, and they can hold their breath for long periods of time—up to six minutes! It’s not uncommon to see an armadillo walking on the bottom of a lake or stream!