Northern naked-tailed armadillo

Cabassous centralis

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

Common Names

English – Northern Naked-tailed Armadillo

French – Tatou à Queue Nue du Nord

Spanish – Armadillo Cola de Trapo, Armadillo de Cola Desnuda de Centro América, Tatú de Rabo Molle, Coletrapo, Armadillo Rabo de Puerco, Cuspita

Portuguese – Tatu-de-Rabo-Mole da Centroamérica, Tatu-Rabo-de-Couro

How to Identify:

Carapace	Dark gray with a pinkish band around its lower part
Ears	3–3.7 cm length, large and funnel-shaped
Moveable bands	11-13
Tail	Naked! It is only covered with thin, widely spaced plates, and lacks the complete armor present in other armadillos

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.

Northern naked-tailed armadillo Facts

Spends more time underground than most other armadillo species.
In Mexico, the species is thought to be poisonous, although this is not supported by scientific research.
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

Dry forests
Tropical mountain forests

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.