Amazon naked-tailed armadillo

Cabassous unicinctus

Reproduction: 1 offspring at a time.
Weight: 2–3.5 kg
Diet: Ants and termites

Common Names

English – Amazon Naked-Tailed Armadillo

French – Tatou à Onze Bandes

German – Nacktschwanzgürteltier

Spanish – Cabasú de orejas largas, coletrapo

Portuguese – Tatu-de-Rabo-Mole-Pequeno, Cabassú

How to Identify:

Carapace	Dark gray with a pinkish band around its lower part
Ears	3–4.7 cm length
Moveable bands	12-13
Tail	Naked! It is only covered with thin, widely spaced plates, and lacks the complete armor present in other armadillos. In some individuals, the tail has a white tip.
Other characteristics	Second largest naked-tailed armadillo
	Ears large, dark with smooth or irregular edges
	Many individuals have a conspicuous dark spot on the belly

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.

Amazon naked-tailed armadillo Facts

Adult individuals are often mistaken for juvenile giant armadillos, although they could be easily distinguished by looking at the tail!
Like all naked-tailed armadillos, they rotate their body and sometimes dig upside down. The burrow entrances and tunnels are circular because of this.

Habitat

Forests
Savannas

Population Trend

• Unknown

Threats

Unknown
Hunting (for food, 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.