Main Characteristics

The Nine-Banded Armadillo is the most common and widespread of the armadillo species. They have a body length between 35 and 57 cms (14 - 22.5 inches), a tail length between 24 and 45 cms (9.5 - 18 inches) and they weigh between 2.5 and 6.5 kgs (5.5 - 14 lbs).

Habitat

Nine-Banded Armadillos can be found in a variety of habitats in North and South America.

Diet

Nine-Banded Armadillos are omnivores and they feed on a variety of plant matter, insects, small vertebrates and carrion.

Breeding

After a gestation period of approximately 133 days, Nine-Banded Armadillos give birth to 4 young.

Predators

Nine-Banded Armadillos are preyed upon by mountain lions, maned wolves, coyotes, black bears, red wolves, jaguars, bobcats, alligators and birds of prey.

Subspecies

There are six subspecies of the Nine-Banded Armadillo:

Dasypus novemcinctus aequatorialis
Dasypus novemcinctus fenestratus
Dasypus novemcinctus hoplites
Dasypus novemcinctus mexianae
Dasypus novemcinctus mexicanus
Dasypus novemcinctus novemcinctus

Interesting Facts

The word armadillo is Spanish for "little armored one"

Nine-Banded Armadillos are also known as:
Nine-Banded, Long-Nosed Armadillo
Long-Nosed Armadillo

Similar Animals

Yepes's Mulita
Six-Banded Armadillo
Seven-Banded Armadillo
Hairy Long-Nosed Armadillo
Great Long-Nosed Armadillo
Llanos Long-Nosed Armadillo
Southern Long-Nosed Armadillo