Portuguese – Piche

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.

• Only xenarthran known to hibernate.
• During winter, its body temperature can drop as low as 14.5 °C.
• Pichi means small in the language of the Mapuche, a group of indigenous inhabitants of Patagonia
• One of the few armadillo species that is diurnal

Threats

• Hunting (food, sport)
• Dogs
• Overgrazing of habitat from cows
• Disease

– 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.

Zaedyus pichiy can be found in the below countries.

Click to learn what other xenarthran species live there too!

Argentina
Chile

Check out this video to see how much you have learned!

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