Seven-banded armadillo

Dasypus septemcinctus

Reproduction: Six to twelve young per litter are born in underground burrows; they are probably monozygotic – meaning genetically identical! The young are born between October and December. The offspring remain in the burrow until they are weaned at around 2 months of age.
Weight: 2 kg
Diet: Ants, termites, beetles and sometimes vertebrates, such as young mice, amphibians, and reptiles.

Common Names

English – Seven-Banded Armadillo; Southern or Brazilian Lesser Long-Nosed Armadillo

Spanish – Mulita, Mulita Pampeana, Tatú Mulita, Tatú de Siete Bandas

German – Siebenbinden-Gürteltier

French – Tatou à Sept Bandes

Portuguese -Tatu-Mirim, Tatuíra

How to Identify:

Carapace	Grey
Moveable bands	6-7
Tail	12-19 cm
Other characteristics	Proportionally large ears, of up to 3.8 cm
	Similar in appearance to other long-nosed armadillos, such as D. sabanicola and D. mazzai

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.

Seven-banded armadillo Facts

Its Spanish name, “mulita” (=small mule), refers to its proportionally large, mule-like ears.
It is one of the few mammal species that always gives birth to at least 6 offspring despite having only 4 mammary glands.
Builds nests inside its burrow, for which it gathers leaves and grass under its belly, holds it with its front legs, and hops backwards towards the burrow entrance.
More than half of its diet consists of ants – it’s a natural biological control agent!
One of the few diurnal (active during the day) armadillo species

Habitat

• Savanna
• Shrubland
• Grassland
• Desert

Population Trend

• Decreasing

Threats

• Habitat loss
• Hunted
• Dogs
• Road accidents

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.