Wilbert, at the Cincinnati Zoo.
A six-banded armadillo’s (Euphractus sexcinctus) protective shell is made of bony plates, called scutes, covered with bumpy skin. Where the armadillo is most vulnerable to natural predators is the underbelly, which is soft and hairy as it would be with most other mammals.
Facts
- Where to see them: South America
- Length: 1.3 to 1.6 ft
- Weight: 7 to 14 lbs
- Lifespan: 15 yrs
- Habitat: Grassland
- Diet: Plants and insects