Six-banded armadillo

Euphractus sexcinctus

Reproduction: One to three offspring per litter. The young remain inside the burrow for approximately 3 months.
Weight: 3–7 kg
Diet: Carrion, small vertebrates (rodents, amphibians, and reptiles), insects (mainly beetles), spiders, bird eggs, and plant material

Six-banded armadillo Euphractus sexcinctus

Common Names

English – Yellow Armadillo, Six-banded Armadillo

Spanish – Gualacate, Armadillo de Seis Bandas, Peji Grande, Peludo, Quirquincho de Seis Bandas, Tatú Poyú

German – Sechsbinden-Gürteltier

Portuguese – Tatu-Peba, Tatu-amarelo, Tatu-peludo

French – Tatou à Six Bandes

How to Identify:

Carapace	Pale yellow, tan, or reddish tan
Carapace	Thinly covered with tan hair
Moveable bands	6
Ears	3.5–4.1 cm
Tail	20–25 cm

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.

Six-banded armadillo Facts

Mainly diurnal, but it can also be active at night
Only armadillo species that can chew hard items, like palm nuts.
More aggressive than other armadillo species.
Seems to be more social than other armadillo species, as several individuals may share a burrow

Habitat

Forest
Savanna
Shrubland
Grassland
Timber plantations
Sugar cane plantations
Cow pasture

Population Trend

• Stable

Threats

Hunting (for food, medicine, handicrafts)

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.