Shell game: Armadillos boast unique defense

Though armadillos look like they have not changed since prehistoric times (and indeed, they haven't), the famous author Rudyard Kipling tells a fun story in "Just So Stories" called "The Beginning of the Armadillos." This imaginary story tells of how the hedgehog and the tortoise teamed to help each other defend themselves against the hungry jaguar. The tortoise taught the hedgehog how to be more armored and less prickly, while the hedgehog taught the tortoise how to curl up into a tight protective ball. The end result was the first two armadillos, which thoroughly confused the hungry jaguar. The shell of a three-banded armadillo is an amazing feat of natural engineering that forms a defensive armor that is almost impenetrable to predators. The shell is made up of a calcium material much like a human fingernail that thickens to be very hard. The pieces of the shell fit together so tightly, like a puzzle, that practically nothing can get in -- or out. Rosita, one of the Pueblo Zoo's two armadillos, has been known to wrap herself tightly around one of her toys -- a hard rubber ball with a bell. When her caretakers pick her up, they can hear the bell ring inside. The three-banded armadillo is the only species that has this defensive ability to roll up into a tight ball and it can stay that way for hours until a predator gives up. One of the only predators that can break through this defense is the jaguar with its incredibly strong jaw torque. More than 20 species of armadillos exist throughout the world. Only the nine-banded species is found naturally in the United States. Did you know that this year, the Brazilian three-banded armadillo was the official mascot of the World Cup soccer tournament? Rosita, a Pueblo Zoo animal ambassador, is a three-banded armadillo. She often visits school classrooms or can be seen exercising with her caretakers on zoo grounds. She does paintings that are in the gift shop and arrangements also can be made for her to make a special appearance at zoo birthday parties.

Scientific name: Tolypeutes matacus Common name: Three-banded armadillo. In Spanish, armadillo means "little armored one," referring to the tough covering on the animal's back. Description: The three-banded armadillo is recognizable by its hard outer covering, which is made up of two domed shells joined together by flexible bands of skin. Three-banded armadillos most often have three of these bands, although they can also have two or four and still be considered three-banded. On the underbelly, the three-banded armadillo has soft skin, which is covered in coarse hairs. The hind feet have five toes; the middle three grow together to form a thick claw. The forefeet have three to five toes with sharp, powerful claws. The armadillo walks on the soles of the hind feet and on the tips of the front claws. Like the human fingerprint, the head plate on an armadillo is unique to each individual. The animals weigh between 2 and 31/2 pounds and are 6 to 11 inches long (from nose to tail). Range: Southern Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil and northern Argentina. Habitat: Three-banded armadillos typically are found in arid open plains, but they can also be found in grasslands and dry forest areas. Behavior: The three-banded armadillo is the only kind of armadillo that can roll itself completely into a ball. When threatened, they will snap the two halves of the armored shell together, which is possible because of the flexibility of their bands. The head and tail can both tuck into the shell, making it very difficult for predators to penetrate. Three-banded armadillos do not dig their own burrows, like other armadillos; instead, they use abandoned anteater burrows. Eyesight and hearing are poor, but an excellent sense of smell allows the armadillos to find food, including a variety of invertebrates (beetle larvae, ants, termites) and fruits. They tend to be solitary animals, although they have been known to huddle together in burrows during the winter for warmth. Reproduction and rearing: Most young are born during November-January, after a 120-day gestation period. Females give birth to a single offspring, which is able to walk and roll into a ball within hours and has a hardened shell within days. Young are independent after about 72 days. Sexual maturity is reached at 9-12 months. Predators: Jaguars, pumas and humans. Humans commonly hunt armadillos for their meat. Life span: 12-15 years in the wild; up to 20 in captivity. Conservation status: Near threatened, as classified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Unlike other armadillos, the three-banded armadillo does not dig, making it easier to successfully hunt them. This has led to humans overhunting the armadillo and causing a decrease in population. Additionally, habitat destruction is a threat due to agricultural development. How can you help? Visit the IUCN Anteater, Sloth & Armadillo Specialist Group at xenarthrans.org, where you will have the opportunity to read about ongoing research, donate to conservation efforts and learn more about these unique and interesting creatures. -- Mo Walsh References: arkive.org; iucnredlist.org; aza.org; zooparis.wikispaces.com; xenarthrans.org; Pueblo Zoo notes.