Greater Fairy Armadillo Calyptophractus retusus

Greater fairy armadillo

Calyptophractus retusus

Reproduction: Probably one offspring at a time.
Weight: 90-130 grams
Diet: Underground invertebrates and their larvae

Greater Fairy Armadillo Calyptophractus retusus

Common Names

English – Greater Fairy Armadillo, Burmeister’s Armadillo, Chacoan Fairy Armadillo, Greater Pichi

Spanish – Pichiciego Mayor, Pichiciego Chaqueño, Pichiciego Grande, Culo tapado, Coseveru

Portuguese – Pichiciego Maior

German – Burmeister-Gürtelmull

French – Tatou de Burmeister

How to Identify:

CarapacePink
Attached to the skin of the sides and the head, as in most other armadillo species
Ears24
Moveable bandsVisible
TailRounded tip

IUCN Red List

Species are classified into one of nine Red List Categories: Extinct, Extinct in the Wild, Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Near Threatened, Least Concern, Data Deficient and Not Evaluated. Vulnerable, Endangered and Critically Endangered species are considered to be threatened with extinction.

IUCN Data deficient

Greater fairy armadillo Facts

  • Requires loose sandy soil to live in
  • This small armadillo is highly fossorial and is therefore rarely seen aboveground
  • One of the smallest and least studied armadillos
  • Can scream when frightened

habitat

Habitat

  • Savanna
  • Shrubland
  • Desert

Population Trend

• Unknown

Threats

  • Habitat loss
  • Hunting (superstition)

Here are some ways YOU can help keep armadillos healthy and safe:

– It is best to observe them from a distance and in silence.
– Our pets could attack them. It is important to keep your dog on a leash when you go for a walk, or keep your pets at home in an enclosed and safe area. In addition, taking care of our pets also means spaying and neutering them so that they do not breed without control.
– Another way to help protect the areas where armadillos live is by not starting fires.
– Armadillos love to live in nature, keeping them as pets is not good for them. Keep in mind that they don’t like selfies either.
– If you find an injured armadillo, contact a wildlife hospital so they can help it.
– Deforestation is often caused to make more land for livestock. Eating less meat may help save our forests.

Calyptophractus retusus can be found in the below countries.

Click to learn what other xenarthran species live there too!

Argentina
Bolivia
Paraguay

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The Anteater, Sloth, Armadillo Specialist Group has a store that directly helps xenarthran conservation!

Fairy armadillo t-shirt
Nine-Banded Armadillo t-shirt
Hairy long-nosed armadillo mug
Pink fairy armadillo shower curtain
International Armadillo Day