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 Armadillos are interesting-looking
mammals. They are closely
related to ant-eaters and sloths. They have small eyes
and a pointy snout. They vary in size
and color. They can be pink, dark-brown, black, red, or gray. Keep
reading to learn more about them!
Armadillo is a Spanish word meaning “little armored one.” Armadillos
are covered with a hard shell. In most species, the
shell covers the head, body, and tail as well as the outer surfaces of the legs.
Armadillos are the only living mammals that wear such shells.
 Many
people believe that armadillos can roll into a ball to protect
themselves. However, only three species of armadillos can actually
do this. In fact, armadillos do not curl up in a ball to protect
themselves. If they are startled, they will jump straight up in the
air! Then, they will run away and hide.
There are 20 different species of armadillos in the world, with over
50 million armadillos in the U.S. alone. Armadillos sleep for an average of 18.5 hours a day.
Interestingly, they can walk underwater. They have a very
low need for oxygen. So they can hold
their breath for 6 minutes! |
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