Pictures and facts about the Giant armadillo

Pictures of the giant armadillo are copyrighted by their owners

Giant armadillo

Order : Xenarthra
Family : Dasypodidae
Subfamily : Dasypodinae
Species : Priodontes maximus

The giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus) or (Priodontes giganteus) is the largest member of the armadillo family. It is an endangered species, living in tropical rainforests in South America, near termite mounds. They primarily feed on termites and certain ants and will consume a whole termite mound population once discovered. Giant armadillo's are easily distinguishable from other armadillo's by their huge size. They can weigh up to 26 kg and reach 90 cm in length. They are also known for their burrowing techniques. When a termite mound has been eradicated, they will bury themselves in the remains and rest there before moving on. It is believed that the giant armadillo is also a good swimmer.

"The giant armadillo was classified as Extremely Endangered (EN — A1cd) on the World Conservation Union's Red List in 2002, and is listed under Appendix I (threatened with extinction) of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna. (source)"

Picture of the giant armadillo by Alessio Marrucci, licensed under GNU Free Documentation License.

Facts about the giant armadillo

The Giant Armadillo is a [CITIES-listed Endangered Species]

Now endangered, the Giant Armadillo is just that; a massive version of it's Texas Cousins. (Full text)

After mating the female will gestate for about four months, and the baby Giant Armadillos are born only one or two at a time, with a leathery hide to protect them from dangerous predators. (Full text)

html'); CallAdv(); CreateTd(9) Giant armadillos are threatened by overhunting and the loss of habitat because of human settlement and agricultural development. (Full text)

BEHAVIOR: Giant armadillos are nocturnal creatures, meaning they are active at night and sleep during the day. (Full text)

The giant armadillo is classified as Priodontes maximus. (Full text)

The giant armadillo is the largest living species of this group, and has 11 - 13 hinged plates protecting the body, and a further 3 or 4 on the neck. (Full text)

Even though he may weigh as much as 130 pounds (most weigh between 40 and 70), a Giant Armadillo is so agile that it can balance upright on its hind legs and tail. (Full text)

Giant Armadillos are considered endangered species in the United States. (Full text)

  The giant armadillo is the largest of all armadillos, weighing up to 45 kilograms, or 100 pounds. (Full text)

The Giant Armadillo is the largest of the 20 armadillo species. (Full text)

The necks and backs of giant armadillos are covered in flexible "armor" consisting of 14 to 17 moveable bands of horn and bone. (Full text)

The giant armadillo is an insectivore, a specialized carnivore, eating mainly insects and other small invertebrates. (Full text)