Paraguay

Paraguay's Xenarthrans

Xenarthrans are a group of mammals that include anteaters, sloths, and armadillos. The name xenarthran comes from two Greek words meaning “unusual joints.” Today there are about 40 species of xenarthrans. Some hang upside down from trees, others have a long snout with a very long tongue, and some dig the ground in search of insects and small invertebrates. Some will even eat dead animals! All current and extinct species have been found in specific regions of the Americas, mostly South America. Check out the species below that call Paraguay home. To discover the animal’s diet, lifespan, habitat and fun facts click on their image. 

Anteaters

There are three types of anteaters: giant anteaters, tamanduas and silky anteaters.

Sloths
Giant Anteater

Giant Anteater

Southern Tamandua

Southern anteater - Tamandua mexicana

Sloths

Sloths play an important role in the tropical forests of the Americas.

Sloths
None!

Armadillos

Armadillos are the only mammals that have a carapace or dorsal armor made of small bony plates. Their diversity is truly astonishing.

Sloths
Cerrado naked-tailed armadillo

Cerrado naked-tailed armadillo Cabassous squamicaudis

Chacoan Naked-tailed Armadillo

Chacoan Naked-tailed Armadillo Cabassous chacoensis

Greater Naked-tailed Armadillo

Greater Naked-tailed Armadillo Cabassous tatouay

Greater Fairy Armadillo

Greater Fairy Armadillo Calyptophractus retusus

Nine-banded Armadillo

Nine-banded Armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus

Screaming Hairy Armadillo

Screaming Hairy Armadillo Chaetophractus vellerosus

Large Hairy Armadillo

Large Hairy Armadillo Chaetophractus villosus

Seven-Banded Armadillo

Seven-Banded Armadillo Dasypus septemcinctus

Six-banded Armadillo

Six-banded armadillo  Euphractus sexcinctus

Southern Three-banded Armadillo

Southern three-banded armadillo Tolypeutes matacus

Giant armadillo

Giant armadillo Priodontes maximus