Southern three-banded armadillo

Tolypeutes matacus

Reproduction: Gives birth to a single young per litter and per year
Weight: 1–2 kg
Diet: Opportunistic insectivore, but also plant material such as fruits and seeds

Southern three-banded armadillo Tolypeutes matacus

Common Names

English – Southern Three-banded Armadillo; La Plata Three-banded Armadillo

Spanish – Corechi, Mataco Bola, Quirquincho Bola, Tatú Bolita

German – Kugelgürteltier

French – Tatou à trois bandes du Sud

Portuguese – Tatu-Bola

How to Identify:

Carapace	Rigid
	Dome-shaped
	Sandy-yellow to brown
Moveable bands	2-4
Tail	Triangular shape that fits perfectly with the triangle head
Other characteristics	Three or four clawed toes on the forefeet, with the third claw being the largest

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.

Southern three-banded armadillo Facts

• Newborns are miniature versions of the adults, with fully developed and hardened claws, and a flexible carapace with a leathery texture.
• Newborns can walk and roll into a ball soon after birth, open their eyes at about 3 weeks of age, and are weaned after 2.5 months.
• Three-banded armadillos are the only species that can roll up into a perfect ball. Predators can’t open this. They can leave a small gap between the edges of its carapace open; when the predator inserts its claw or snout, they quickly snap shut.
• Spends more time aboveground than other armadillo species
• Walks on the tips of its front claws

Habitat

Savannah
Shrubland

Population Trend

• Decreasing

Threats

Habitat loss
Hunting (food)
Pet trade (many die during shipping)

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.